Hatton National Bank PLC v. T.D.S.P. Perera – CA NO. CA/LAND/ACQ/03/2013-2016

In the case between Hatton National Bank PLC (appellant) and T.D.S.P. Perera, Divisional Secretary / Acquiring Officer, Biyagama Divisional Secretariat (respondent), the court addressed whether the compensation awarded for the compulsory acquisition of land under the Land Acquisition Act was lawfully and properly determined, particularly considering questions about procedural irregularities and the admissibility of evidence at various adjudicative stages. It was held that the proper venue for contesting valuation and presenting evidence is during the initial inquiry before the Acquiring Officer, and that new evidence or material not introduced at that stage is inadmissible at the Board of Review or on appeal. The decision reaffirmed the long-standing legal principle that appellate review u