M.B.Kusumawathie Hettiarachchi and Hettiarachhige Surendra Jayampathi vs Udawaththage Chandrani – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 248/2011-2012

In the case between M.B. Kusumawathie Hettiarachchi, Hettiarachhige Surendra Jayampathi (Petitioners) and Udawaththage Chandrani, S.A. Rohini, Ceylon Electricity Board, and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of the voluntary withdrawal of a writ application related to administrative and property matters involving government authorities and utilities. It was held that the application could be withdrawn and pro-forma dismissed without costs, while explicitly preserving the Petitioners’ right to initiate a fresh application. This determination reaffirmed the principle that the withdrawal of a writ application, in the absence of respondent objection, may be ordered without prejudice to future proceedings. The decision emphasized judicial discretion in allowing withdrawals with