Benett, P. Medonza v. Tissa, E. De Silva – sllr 1986 volume 1 page 023

In the case between Bennett P. Medonza (Plaintiff) and Tissa E. De Silva (Defendant), the court addressed the issue of whether the provisions of section 7(1) and (2) of the Rent Act No. 7 of 1972 operate retrospectively, and whether the Rent Board’s authority to determine and adjust the receivable rent could be exercised simultaneously and retrospectively. It was held that the Rent Board’s concurrent determination increasing the rent from Rs. 180 to Rs. 675 was validly made and could be applied retroactively for computing arrears and a special tax. The decision reaffirmed the principle that statutory powers under the Rent Act could be construed to promote administrative convenience and judicial efficiency. This interpretation relied on the language of the statute and pertinent judicial pre