W.M. Wijerathne Banda and W.M. Chandra Kumari Wijerathne v. R.K.S.S.C. Wijesinghe and Others – CA 366/2016-2016

In the case between W.M. Wijerathne Banda and W.M. Chandra Kumari Wijerathne (petitioners) and R.K.S.S.C. Wijesinghe, Provincial Land Commissioner, North Central Province, Anuradhapura, and others (respondents), the court addressed whether the petitioners were entitled to a writ of certiorari to quash the decision of the Provincial Land Commissioner granting a State land license to the 5th to 7th respondents. The court held that the application lacked merit due to unjustified delay, the existence of a valid permit issued to the 5th respondent after a Land Katchcheri, and the petitioners’ prior agreement to vacate the land, thereby reaffirming the principle that delay and failure to utilize appropriate administrative procedures can preclude discretionary remedies. This decision relied on ad