H.D. Lionel Weeraratne vs Velu Kannappan et al. – SC APPEAL NO. 170/2015-2017

In the case between H.D. Lionel Weeraratne (Plaintiff-Respondent-Petitioner) and Velu Kannappan with other associated defendants, the court addressed the issue of whether the defendants had acquired prescriptive title to a disputed property through continuous possession for at least ten years, as required by the Prescriptive Ordinance. It was determined that the defendants failed to establish the requisite period of possession, as evidenced by documentary and testimonial records. The District Court’s original decision in favor of the plaintiff was upheld, with the High Court’s contrary judgment set aside. The ruling reaffirmed the principle that clear and compelling evidence must establish continuous adverse possession for the statutory period to acquire prescriptive title. The court relie