Ratnaweera v. Nandawathi Fernando and Another – sllr 1998 volume 2 page 299

In Ratnaweera v. Nandawathi Fernando and another, the dispute centered on whether subletting, under section 10 of the Rent Act, had occurred. The determination required proof of exclusive possession by an alleged subtenant, occupation of a defined portion of the premises, and payment of rent for that portion. The findings established that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence to satisfy any of these statutory requirements. It was determined that the facts suggested a shared living arrangement rather than a subletting arrangement. The principle reaffirmed was that allegations of subletting must be proven with concrete evidence and cannot be sustained on inferences or suspicions. Reliance was placed on the statutory interpretation of section 10 of the Rent Act. The ultimate eff