Hettiarachchi v. Hettiarachchi – sllr 1994 volume 2 page 188

In the case between Hettiarachchi (landlord, appellant) and Hettiarachchi (tenant, respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the appellant satisfied the conditions under section 2(4)(c) of the Rent Act to claim exemption for residential premises. It was determined that, despite the absence of a proved deed of title under the Evidence Ordinance requirements, unchallenged oral evidence and entries in the Assessment Register sufficiently established occupation as owner on the relevant date. The holding set aside previous decisions and directed that a decree for ejectment be issued against the respondent, but not before 31 December 1995, reaffirming that the nature of occupation on the relevant date, rather than strict legal title, is the determinative factor for exemption under th