Podi Nona v. Urban Council, Horana – sllr 1981 volume 2 page 141

In the case between Podinona (lessee, petitioner) and the Urban Council, Horana (respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of certiorari (or alternative writs) could be issued to quash the council’s decision to cancel a lease for violation of its conditions. It was held that where the underlying dispute is contractual, and the aggrieved party possesses an adequate contractual remedy, extraordinary writ relief is not available. The principle reaffirmed is that public law remedies such as certiorari do not supersede contractual remedies where the relationship between the parties is rooted in contract. The court relied on the terms of the lease bond, the relevant local government circular, and the availability of alternative remedies, emphasizing that the appropriate forum