M.M.Perera v. D.M. J.Desilva – SLR – sllr 1988 volume 1 page 351

In the case between M. M. Perera (landlord) and D. M. J. de Silva (tenant), the court addressed whether the deposit of rent by the tenant’s daughter at the Urban Council, Moratuwa, satisfied the requirements of section 21 of the Rent Act No. 7 of 1972, and whether this payment discharged the tenant’s liability for arrears despite being made in the name of the deceased landlord. It was determined that the deposit, although made under the deceased landlord’s name and through the tenant’s daughter, constituted a valid payment on behalf of the tenant as admitted by evidence and documentation. The holding reaffirmed that section 21 permits such a payment when it is clearly established to be on the tenant’s behalf, and that a technical interpretation should not defeat the legislative intent. Thi