Somaratne Vs. Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry and Others – sllr 2002 volume 3 page 353

In the case between Somaratne (Plaintiff) and the Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry and Others (Defendants), the court addressed the issue of whether, under the 13th Amendment and the Land Acquisition Act, the acquisition of land for public purposes—specifically for educational developments such as a school’s playground—required action by the Central Government or involvement by the Provincial Council in light of devolved powers. The judgment held that, while certain educational matters are devolved to Provincial Councils, the acquisition of land remains under the statutory authority of the Central Government, with the relevant notices and legal process properly issued by the Minister of Lands. This holding reaffirmed the principle that land acquisition authority is centralized d