Kahandawela vs National Housing and Development Authority and Another – sllr 2004 volume 2 page 176

The case between the widow of the late Squadron Leader K.A.J.P. Kahandawela (Petitioner) and the National Housing and Development Authority and another (Respondents) addressed the enforceability of a Presidential directive relating to concessionary rates for government flats for next of kin of armed forces personnel. The court determined that such a directive, absent promulgation through a proper statutory or approved legal framework, does not have the force of law and cannot be enforced by mandamus. Reliance was placed on established principles limiting mandamus relief to clear legal duties rather than discretionary administrative actions, with reference to relevant case law and statutory requirements. As a result, the application for a writ of mandamus was dismissed, reinforcing the prin