Sriyani Peiris v. Mohamed – sllr 1986 volume 2 page 384

In the case between Sriyani Peiris (Plaintiff) and Mohamed (Defendant), the court addressed the issue of whether attornment to a new landlord under section 22(1)(bb) of the Rent Act constitutes the creation of a new tenancy or the continuation of an existing one. It was held that attornment in this instance terminated the previous contractual tenancy and established a new tenancy commencing on 1st October 1977. The mandated statutory requirement of a one-year written notice for termination of post-1st March 1972 tenancies was found to be applicable, and the six-month notice served was deemed insufficient. The principle reaffirmed was that attornment triggers a new contractual relationship, subject to statutory requirements, rather than continuing the old tenancy. The decision relied princi