Gunadasa vs. Siriyalatha and Others – sllr 2021 volume 3 page 443

In the case between Gunadasa (on behalf of the donees) and Siriyalatha and others, the court addressed the validity of a deed of gift in the absence of a formal signature by the first donee and examined whether acceptance could be established through conduct. It was held that a deed of gift remains valid if acceptance can be inferred from the parties’ conduct, such as possession, delivery, and subsequent use, reaffirming the principle that acceptance of a donation need not always be by written signature but may be demonstrated by surrounding circumstances. Reference was made to precedents including Wickremesinghe v. Wijetunga, Bindua v. Untty, Abeyawardene v. West, and Chelliah v. Sivasamboo, emphasizing that inference of acceptance is legally sufficient. The decision directed judgment for