Talagalage Punchi Singho vs. Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Bandara Menike – SC APPEAL NO. 30/2015-2017

In the case of Thalagalage Wijeratna (as substituted plaintiff) v. Ratnayake Mudiyanselage Bandara Menike, the Supreme Court examined whether a deed of gift, generally considered irrevocable under Roman-Dutch law, could be revoked due to gross ingratitude by the donee. The principal legal issue was the evidentiary standard required to establish gross ingratitude sufficient for revocation of such a deed. The initial decision of the District Court, which favored revocation, was overturned by the Court of Appeal. Upon further appeal, the Supreme Court analyzed the consistency and credibility of oral and documentary evidence. It was determined that the standard of proof for gross ingratitude had not been met, due to inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s testimony and conflicting police statements