Chrisani Suweenetha Mariel Lilian Karunaratne v. P.R. Kotalawela – SC APPEAL 17/2015-2021

In the case between Chrisani Suweenetha Mariel (with Lilian Karunaratne) and P.R. Kotalawela, the court addressed whether the Defendant qualified as a tenant under the Rent Act, thereby entitling him to statutory protection. The core issues involved the Defendant’s categorical denial of tenancy, the applicability of the statutory bar under section 22(7) of the Rent Act, and conflicting findings of the lower courts concerning the landlord-tenant relationship and entitlement to ejectment and damages. It was held that the protection of the Rent Act does not extend to parties who deny the existence of a bona fide contractual tenancy. Ultimately, the Court affirmed that the Plaintiff is entitled to an order of ejectment and damages, emphasizing the legal principle that statutory tenant protecti