Ranabahuge Chithrasiri et al. v. National Gem and Jewellery Authority et al. – CA WRIT/266/2014-2014

In the case between Ranabahuge Chithrasiri, Gamage Don Nandawathie, and Udakanda Kankanamalage Karunarathne (Petitioners) and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Amitha Gamage, and others (Respondents), the court addressed the lawfulness of granting a gem mining license to a lessee under Regulation 8(2) of the State Gem Corporation Act when all co-owners have consented to the lease. It was determined that the judicial review was confined to evaluating whether the administrative decision was reached through correct procedure and fair interpretation of the law, rather than reassessing its substantive merits. The application for an interim stay of the license pending full determination was refused, with the holding affirming the principle that interim relief will not be granted where pr