W.A. Mihindu Prathiba Karunaratne v. Land Commissioner General et al. – NO. 85/2015-2017

In W. A. Mihindu Prathiba Karunaratne v. Land Commissioner General and Others, the court examined the entitlement of the petitioner to writs of Certiorari and Mandamus, specifically to quash the Land Commissioner General’s determination concerning the division of State land at Walagoda village, Embilipitiya. The proceedings primarily focused on whether the petitioner had locus standi and whether the petition was precluded by laches. It was held that the petitioner lacked sufficient standing due to substantial delay and insufficient demonstration of a clear legal right, reaffirming the principle that extraordinary relief cannot be granted where an applicant is guilty of laches and lacks standing. This conclusion was based on established administrative law doctrines and relevant case authori