Kaalanchiyalage Lily Nona and others vs Janaka Bandara Tennekoon and others – 21/2014-2014

In the case between Kaalanchiyalage Lily Nona and others (Petitioners) and Janaka Bandara Tennekoon (Minister of Lands and Land Development) and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of certiorari should be issued to quash an order made under Section 38 Proviso (a) of the Land Acquisition Act authorizing compulsory acquisition of the Petitioners’ land. The court held that interim relief, specifically a stay of the Magistrate’s order for possession, should not be granted as the order for possession had already been executed and the government was in possession of the land. This decision reaffirmed the principle that interim relief is not appropriate when the act sought to be stayed has already been completed, and that the court’s jurisdiction for review must