M.A.Punyaratna v. National Housing Development Authority – CA WRIT 681/2011-2011

In the case between M.A. Punyaratna (Petitioner) and the National Housing Development Authority with Major General W.R. Wasantha Kumara and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioner was entitled to a writ of certiorari to quash a quit notice and a writ of mandamus relating to the possession of certain premises. It was held that the petitioner had not demonstrated lawful possession of the property and had not produced adequate material to support the application for relief. The principle reaffirmed that adequate evidence of lawful possession is a prerequisite for the grant of prerogative writs under Article 140 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. Reliance was placed on the status and ownership rights of the NHDA, and the lack of material evidence by the pet