Ratnayake v. De Silva – sllr 1999 volume 3 page 057

In the case between Ratnayake (plaintiff-appellant) and De Silva (defendant-respondent), the court addressed the validity of a land lease executed by the North-Central Provincial Council. The principal issue was whether document P1 fulfilled the constitutional and statutory execution requirements, including attestation by a notary and the requisite signature by the President, as required by the Prevention of Frauds Ordinance and relevant provisions under the Constitution. It was held that document P1 did not meet these prescribed legal formalities, rendering the conveyance invalid. The decision reaffirms the principle that any disposition of state land by a Provincial Council must strictly comply with formal statutory execution and constitutional mandates. The judgment relied on the Preven