Partition Case Laws in Sri Lanka: Buying 'Nugabeedana' Land

A blessing and a curse.

In Sri Lanka, "Partition Title" is considered the best title. Why? Because a District Court has investigated it and declared the owner. It wipes away all past defects.

However, buying land involved in an ongoing partition lawsuit is dangerous.

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1. Co-Ownership (The Mess)

Historically, parents left land to all children jointly. 3 generations later, 50 people own "undefined shares" of one land. No one knows which bit is theirs. You cannot build or sell easily.

2. The Partition Action

One owner sues the others to divide the land.

• Process: Expensive surveyor, court hearings, genealogy tracing.
• Duration: 10 to 30 Years (Yes, decades).

3. The Final Decree

Once the court finishes, it issues a Partition Decree.

• Result: The land is physically divided. You get a specific plot.
• Title: This title is "Good against the world." No one can challenge it later.

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4. Buying Advice

• If Partition Case is Ongoing: DON'T BUY. You are buying a lawsuit, not land.
• If Partition Decree is Final: BUY. It's the safest title in Sri Lanka. Banks love it.

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Check the title. Lawyer Verification