Hemalatha vs. Kusumalatha – SC APPEAL NO. 70/13-2019

Brief
In the case between Hewayalage Ranjani Hemalatha (Plaintiff-Respondent) and Hewayalage Kanthi Kusumalatha (Defendant-Appellant/Petitioner), the court addressed the legal questions surrounding succession of title to land granted under a state permit and the efficacy of administrative approval in effecting lawful subdivision or transfer of such land under the Land Development Ordinance. It was held that the Plaintiff-Respondent, as the eldest daughter of the original grantee’s successor, is entitled to title in accordance with statutory provisions governing intestate succession, and that divisional authorization for subdivision (including V1 and the related plan) does not confer lawful title or undermine such succession. The principle reaffirmed is that ownership and valid transmission