Dr. Puvanendran and Another vs Premasiri and Two Others – sllr 2009 volume 2 page 107

The case between Dr. Puvanendran and another (Appellants) and Premas… and others (Respondents), concerned whether a writ of mandamus should be issued to compel the Registrar of Lands to remove an erroneous entry in the land registry. The court determined that although there was substantial evidence indicating the Appellants’ claim to ownership, the dispute regarding the validity and execution of the Impugned Deed was material and unresolved, precluding the grant of a writ of mandamus. The principle was reaffirmed that mandamus is a discretionary relief only available where all material facts are uncontested and where the duty sought to be enforced is public in nature. The decision was reached by reference to authorities including Thajudeen v. Sri Lanka Tea Board, Hakmana Multipurpose Coo