Leelasena v. Ranasinghe and Others – sllr 1995 volume 1 page 001

The case between Leelasena (Plaintiff) and Ranasinghe and Others (Defendants) addressed whether statutory protection as a monthly tenant under section 48 of the Partition Law persists after a partition decree, and if the petitioner’s subsequent actions constituted attornment, thereby preserving tenancy rights despite a transfer of title. It was held that tenancy rights are maintained by operation of law even after partition, with the petitioner’s continued rent deposits and acknowledgment of new ownership establishing attornment. The principle reaffirmed is that a monthly tenant’s statutory rights continue unless lawfully terminated, and such attornment may be demonstrated through documentary evidence and conduct, as established by relevant statutes and precedents. The decision quashed the