Rajagopal Rajendran vs D.G.M.V. Hapuarachchi – SC APPEAL 43/2019-2021

In the case between Rajagopal Rajendran (Power of Attorney holder for Liyanage Charitha, licensee of Udaya Wine Stores) and D.G.M.V. Hapuarachchi (former Commissioner General of Excise) with added respondents Mrs. K.H.A. Meegasmulla, Mrs. Ranasinghe Semasinghe, and Wasantha Dissanayake, the principal issue was whether a joint Power of Attorney granted by Liyanage Charitha and Liyanage Udenis Silva survived the death of one grantor, thereby permitting the appellant to act on behalf of the business. It was held that such a Power of Attorney is terminated upon the demise of any one of the joint grantors, and that the appellant, lacking locus standi, could not claim rights conferred by the now-void instrument. The decision reaffirmed the established principle that a joint Power of Attorney is