Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC vs The Divisional Secretary/Acquiring Officer – CA /LAND/ACQ/02/2012-2014

In the case between Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC and the Divisional Secretary/Acquiring Officer, Kandy and Gangawata Korale, alongside the Land Acquisition Board of Review, the court addressed the issue of whether the compensation awarded for the compulsory acquisition of the Appellant’s property was lawfully and adequately assessed under the Land Acquisition Act. It was held that while the development-based valuation for land, buildings, and loss of business was proper, additional compensation should be awarded for relocation expenses. This holding reaffirmed the principle that statutory compensation for compulsory acquisition must comprehensively account for all pecuniary loss, as recognized under the governing legislation. The decision emphasized that appellate courts possess l