Peli Arachchige Wijaya Amararathna v. Divisional Secretary et al. – CA PHC/74/2007-2007

In the case between Peli Arachchige Wijaya Amararathna and Weralupe Hemachandra (with the Divisional Secretary, Pelmadulla, and the Provincial Land Commissioner, Ratnapura, as respondents), the court addressed whether the Provincial High Court possessed jurisdiction under Article 154P(4)(b) of the Constitution to entertain applications regarding the alienation of State land, specifically the issuance and revocation of a permit/Jayabhumi deed. It was held that the Provincial High Court lacked jurisdiction to decide on matters relating to the alienation of State land, reaffirming the established principle that powers over State land alienation are not conferred to Provincial High Courts under the Provincial Council List of the Constitution. Reliance was placed on the precedent set by Superin