Recovery of Possession of Premises Given on Lease Act, No. 1 of 2023. Country/Territory Sri Lanka Document type Legislation Date 2023 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to provide for the procedure relating to hte recovery of possession of premises given on lease under a lease agreement, to regulate the recovery of arrears of lease rentals, service charges and liquidated damages; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Subject Land & soil Keyword Agricultural land Urban land Court/tribunal Land valuation Lease Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Liability/compensation Contract/agreement Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, Indian Ocean, South Asian Seas, Southern Asia Abstract This law regulates the procedure for the lessor to recover the premises given on lease from the lessee who does not vacate it at the end of the lease agreement. The lessor has to file a plaint with an affidavit, a draft decree nisi, and a copy of the lease agreement in the court. The court will issue a decree in favour of the lessor and serve it on the lessee, who can apply for leave to appear and show cause within fourteen days, but only after paying security for the arrears and costs. If the lessee does not apply or pay security, the court will make the decree nisi absolute and order the eviction of the lessee from the premises. If the lessee is granted leave, the court will hear and decide the case on its merits. The court can also award compensation to the lessor for any damage to the premises or any unpaid utility bills or service charges by the lessee. The Act applies to any premises given on lease by any lease agreement, and does not affect any other legal remedies available to either party. Full text English