Don. Gamini Dissanayake, Ranuluge Shelton Fonseka vs Urban Development Authority – CA WRIT 670/10-2013

In the case of Don. Gamini Dissanayake and Ranuluge Shelton Fonseka v. Urban Development Authority and its officers, the central issue concerned whether a writ of mandamus should be issued to compel the Urban Development Authority to pay arrears of salary based on a recommendation from the Human Rights Commission. It was held that the mere recommendation by the Human Rights Commission did not establish a legal right in favor of the petitioners nor impose a statutory duty on the respondents to make such payments. The holding reaffirmed the principle that the issuance of mandamus requires the existence of a legal right and a corresponding statutory duty, as recognized within the applicable legal framework. The Court dismissed the application, clarifying that recommendations alone do not amou