Mandadige Suvineetha Fernando et al. vs National Housing Development Authority et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.372/2012-2012

In the case between Mandadige Suvineetha Fernando, Wasala Gamage Chulani Dhammika, and others (petitioners) and the National Housing Development Authority, its officers, and Velmurugu Maheswaran (respondents), the Court addressed the issue of whether a notarially executed deed of transfer (Deed No. 821 dated 03.09.2008, marked P12) could be quashed by way of writ of certiorari. It was held that a deed of transfer, being a formal notarial instrument and not a judicial or administrative decision, is not amenable to being quashed by certiorari. The established principle reaffirmed that writs of certiorari are only available against decisions or determinations made in a judicial or quasi-judicial capacity. Reliance was placed on established legal principles distinguishing administrative/judici