IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application for leave to Appeal against an order of learned Judge of High Court of Civil Appellate Kegalle dated 30.09.2015, under and in terms of Section 5C of the High Court of the provinces (Special Provisions) Amendment Act No. 54 of 2006 reads with Article 128 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

SC/Appeal/18/2017 Henaka Rallage Premachandra Bandara, SC HCCA/LA / Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Application No: 360/2015 Undugoda.

SGP/HCCA/KG/APPEAL No:

69/2013 (F)

D.C. Kegalle Case No.

4702/L PLAINTIFF vs Kaluarachchilage Tikiri Mahaththaya Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Undugoda. (Deceased)

DEFENDANT

1.a Muruthen Rallage Nawarathne Bandara Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.b Muruthen Rallage Ariyawathie Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.c Muruthen Rallage Sumana Banda Thiyambarahena, Thelijjagoda, Undugoda.

SUBSTITUTED DEFENDANTS {Purportedly under Section 341(1) of the Civil Procedure Code}

AND Henaka Rallage Premachandra Bandara, Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

PLAINTIFF – PETITIONER vs Kaluarachchilage Tikiri Mahaththaya Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Undugoda. (Deceased)

DEFENDANT

1.a Muruthen Rallage Nawarathne Bandara Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.b Muruthen Rallage Ariyawathie Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.c Muruthen Rallage Sumana Banda Thiyambarahena, Thelijjagoda, Undugoda.

SUBSTITUTED DEFENDANTS – RESPONDENTS {Purportedly under Section 341(1) of the Civil Procedure Code}

AND BETWEEN

1.a Muruthen Rallage Nawarathne Bandara Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.b Muruthen Rallage Ariyawathie Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.c Muruthen Rallage Sumana Banda Thiyambarahena, Thelijjagoda, Undugoda.

SUBSTITUTED DEFENDANTS – RESPONDENTS -

APPELLANTS {Purportedly under Section 341(1) of the Civil Procedure Code}

vs Henaka Rallage Premachandra Bandara, Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

PLAINTIFF -PETITIONER-RESPONDENT AND NOW BETWEEN

1.a Muruthen Rallage Nawarathne Bandara Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.b Muruthen Rallage Ariyawathie Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

1.c Muruthen Rallage Sumana Banda Thiyambarahena, Thelijjagoda, Undugoda.

SUBSTITUTED DEFENDANTS – RESPONDENTS –

APPELLANTS - APPELLANTS {Purportedly under Section 341(1) of the Civil Procedure Code}

vs

1. Henaka Rallage Premachandra Bandara, Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Undugoda. (Deceased)

PLAINTIFF -PETITIONER -RESPONDENT-

RESPONDENT

1A. Korale Gama Ralalage Sumanawathie, 1B. Darshana Saman Premachandra, 1C. Rajeewa Nilantha Thushara Premachandra, 1D. Dammika Niroshan Premachandra, 1E. Iresha Priyadarshani Premachandra, All of Alikapuwatte, Thiyambarahena, Undugoda.

SUBSTITUTED – PLAINTIFF- PETITIONER –

RESPONDENT – RESPONDENTS.

BEFORE : S. Thurairaja, P.C., J.

Menaka Wijesundera, J &

M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J.

COUNSEL : J.M. Wijebandara with Ralani Edirisinghe, Dimithri Pandiwita & Parami Samudrika for the Substituted – Defendants – Respondents –

Appellants - Appellants.

Sudarshani Coorey with Diana Stephnie Rodrigo for the Substituted – Plaintiffs – Petitioners – Respondents - Respondents.

ARGUED ON : 17.06.2025 DECIDED ON : 25.09.2025 M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J.

Introduction This appeal arises from the judgment of the Provincial High Court of Civil Appeal, Kegalle, dated September 28, 2015, whereby the learned Judges of the High Court affirmed the order of the learned District Judge delivered on April

23, 2013.

The substituted Defendants-Respondents-Appellants-Appellants (hereinafter referred to as the ‘substituted Defendants-Appellants’) sought leave to appeal to this Court against the aforesaid judgment of the High Court of Civil Appeal. Upon hearing the submissions of learned Counsel for the substituted Defendants as well as learned Counsel for the Plaintiff-Petitioner-Respondent- Respondent (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Plaintiff-Respondent’), this Court granted leave to appeal on the questions of law set out in paragraph 19(a), (b), and (c).1 However, upon the conclusion of arguments, this Co