IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Appeal in terms of Article 128 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Maddage Semapala, School Lane, Labugama, Haltota.

SC Appeal No. 154/2012 Plaintiff S.C.SPL.LA/ No. 26/2011 Vs.

C.A. No. 564/96(F) 1. Devika Weerakoon, D.C. Horana Case No. 3006/P No.42A, Anadarawatta Road, Polhengoda, Kirulapone, Colombo 05.

2. Wijaya Weerakoon, 3. Ratiyalage Don Aron Perera, 4. Kalubowilage Salinona, 5. Ratiyalage Anula, 6. Ratiyalage Dona Matilda Ariyawathi, 7. Lokuge Georgiana Perera, 8. Thambawitage Gunaratne, 9. Ratiyalage Gunaseeli Perera, 10. Patrick Ranaweera Mannapperuma, 11. Dilani Kalpani Mannapperuma, 12. Sooriyaarachchige Munasinghe, All of Labugama, Halthota.

Defendants And Maddage Semapala, School Lane, Labugama, Haltota.

Plaintiff – Appellant Vs.

1. Devika Weerakoon, No.42A, Anadarawatta Road, Polhengoda, Kirulapone, Colombo 05.

2A. W.A.Mallika Weerakoon, 3. Ratiyalage Don Aron Perera, 4. Kalubowilage Salinona, 5. Ratiyalage Anula, 6A. P.D. Premawardena, 6B. P.D. Kusumalatha, 7. Lokuge Georgiana Perera, 8. Thambawitage Gunaratne, 9. Ratiyalage Gunaseeli Perera, 10. Patrick Ranaweera Mannapperuma, 11. Dilani Kalpani Mannapperuma, 12. Sooriyaarachchige Munasinghe All of Labugama, Halthota. Defendant – Respondents AND NOW BETWEEN Maddage Semapala, School Lane, Labugama, Haltota. (deceased)

Maddage Aruna Shantha, School Lane, Labugama, Haltota.

Substituted 1A Plaintiff-Appellant -Appellant Vs.

1. Devika Weerakoon, No.42A, Anadarawatta Road, Polhengoda, Kirulapone, Colombo 05.

2A. W.A. Mallika Weerakoon, 3. Ratiyalage Don Aron Perera, 4A. Ratiyalage Anula, 5. Ratiyalage Anula, 6A. P.D. Premawardena, 6A1. P.D. Kusumalatha, 6B. P.D. Kusumalatha, All of Labugama, Halthota.

7A1. Dilani Kalpani Mannapperuma, Labugama, Halthota.

7B. Dilani Kalpani Mannapperuma, Labugama, Halthota.

8A. Thambawitage Upul Indika, Labugama, Halthota.

9. Ratiyalage Gunaseeli Perera, Labugama, Halthota.

10A. Dilani Kalpani Mannapperuma, Labugama, Halthota.

11. Dilani Kalpani Mannapperuma, Labugama, Halthota.

12. Sooriyaarachchige Munasinghe Labugama, Halthota.

Defendant – Respondent -Respondents Before: Murdu N.B. Fernando, PC. CJ., Janak De Silva, J. and K. Priyantha Fernando, J.

Counsel: Manohara de Silva, PC with Hirosha Munasinghe, Buddhika Gamage Instructed by Nimal Hippola for the Appellant.

Ranil Premathilake for the 1^st and 2A Defendant-Respondent-Respondents.

Argued on: 12.11.2024 Decided on: 23.07.2025 Murdu N.B. Fernando, PC. CJ., This is an Appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal dated 17^th January 2011.

Introduction The Plaintiff-Appellant-Appellant (“the Plaintiff”/ “the Appellant”) instituted a Partition Action in the District Court of Horana in May 1986 against the Defendant- Respondent-Respondents and moved for partitioning of the land ‘Indigahagodalla’ in the village of Labugama, in extent 4A 0R 29P depicted in the schedule to the plaint. The plaint bears out that the original owner became entitled to the said land upon a Crown Grant dated

12^th September 1883.

The Plaintiff pleaded, the partitioning of the said land was necessitated in view of the

2^nd Defendant-Respondent-Respondent (“the 2^nd Defendant” / “the Respondent”) disturbing the possession of the land enjoyed by the Plaintiff and pleaded that the Plaintiff is entitled to 87/288 shares of the land (80 perches) whilst the 2^nd Defendant is only entitled to 24/288 shares of the land described above.

The case of the Plaintiff was that one Arnolis, son of the original Crown grantee became entitled to 7/12 shares of the instant land. This position is admitted by the Defendants. The Defendants’ challenge is to the share devolvement thereafter.

The said Arnolis by a Deed bearing No. 19977 dated 03.01.1906 P15 conveyed his interest to three others, which conveyance will be discussed in detail later in this judgement.

In brief, the matter in issue, is whether Arnolis by the aforesaid deed P15,