Chandrasekera and Another v. Barry – sllr 1982 volume 2 page 657

In Chandrasekera and Another (landlord and property owner) v. Bary (tenant/occupier), the court addressed whether a revised annual value assessment made by a Municipal Council—without proper notice to the occupier—could operate retrospectively to alter the premises’ status under the Rent Restriction Act. It was held that such a revision is not empowered to operate retroactively; instead, any revision to the annual value must take effect only prospectively from the date the assessment is made. The principle was reaffirmed that power under the Municipal Councils Ordinance does not authorize retrospective alteration affecting accrued tenant rights. The decision drew on statutory interpretation of the Municipal Councils Ordinance and pertinent case law, emphasizing that retrospective assessmen