Wedamulla v. Abeysinghe – sllr 1999 volume 3 page 026

The case between Wedamulla (appellant, Competent Authority of the Urban Development Authority) and Abeysinghe (respondent in unauthorized occupation of state-vested land) concerned the authority to initiate eviction proceedings under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act. It was held that lawful appointment and fulfillment of statutory prerequisites—including the Minister’s approval—empowered the Competent Authority to commence such proceedings. The principle established that statutory compliance by the appointing authority constitutes valid basis for ejectment actions. Reliance was placed on the relevant legislative provisions governing state lands and the process for recovery of possession, clarifying that satisfaction of procedural requirements legitimizes the eviction of unautho