Wijayawardane v. Malini – sllr 1999 volume 3 page 130

In the case between WIJAYAWARDANE (appellant, widow of the original lessee Dr. Wijewardena) and MALINI WIJAYAWARDANE (respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether tenancy or subtenancy rights survive the expiration of the original lease and the death of the original lessee, and whether statutory tenant protection under the Rent Act, No. 7 of 1972 applies in such circumstances. It was determined that subtenancy rights do not extend beyond the term of the original lease (P1), nor do they survive the death of the original lessee. Upon expiration of lease P1 and the lessee’s death, any continued possession by the subtenant was rendered unlawful, and the subtenant became a trespasser. This holding reaffirmed the principle that statutory protection does not revive or extend expired cont