Madappuliarachchige Oliver Gregory Ernest Fernando vs Municipal Council of Moratuwa – SC APPEAL 278/2021-2024

In the case between Madappuliarachchige Oliver Gregory Ernest Fernando (Petitioner) and the Municipal Council of Moratuwa, its Mayor and Municipal Commissioner, Warnakulasuriya Arachchige Dona Damayanthi, and the Attorney General’s Department (Respondents), the Supreme Court addressed whether the Petitioner was entitled to the title of two land blocks in the Bolgoda‐Siripura Janawasaya, in light of the Court of Appeal’s prior affirmation of the Municipal Council’s absolute title. The Court held that the Petitioner’s fundamental rights were not imminently infringed, and his claim to the title—based upon a void “Conditional Agreement” and short-term possession—did not satisfy the requirements of the municipal vesting policy. It was determined that the principles of equality and reasonable cl