Mohamed Haneefa Mohamed Alias Mohamed Ohudu et al. vs Hon. Janaka Bandara Tennakoon et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.607/2010-2013

In the case between Mohamed Haneefa Mohamed Alias Mohamed Ohudu and others (including Greenfield Developments (Pvt) Ltd) (Petitioners) and Hon. Janaka Bandara Tennakoon (Minister of Land and Land Development) and others (Respondents), the issue concerned the validity of the State’s acquisition of Ippantivu Island, Kalpitiya under the Land Acquisition Act for a public purpose, particularly in light of the subsequent transfer of the island to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the awarding of tourism development rights to a private company. It was held that the acquisition was for a legitimate public purpose—tourism development—and that title vested in the State was validly established through Gazette notification and a Presidential grant. The principles reaffirmed included the