Liyanapathirange Punchihewa Babynona Vs. Hethuhamige Ranasinghe and others – CA PHC 48/2005-2005

In the case between Liyanapathirange Punchihewa Babynona and Hethuhamige Ranasinghe, Resident Project Manager, Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, the court addressed the issue of lawful possession of state land without a valid permit or written authority under the State Land (Recovery of Possession) Act No. 07 of 1979 (as amended). It was held that occupation of state land requires such permit or authority and, in its absence, no lawful right to occupy exists, affirming the principle that eviction is warranted where the statutory requirements are unmet. The decision relied on settled judicial precedent, including Muhandiram v. Chairman, J.E.D.B., and Nirmal Paper Converters (Pvt.) Ltd. v. Sri Lanka Ports Authority, underscoring that compliance with explicit legal authorization is necessary for