Kuruwita Pradeshiya Sabha v. Divisional Secretary – CA PHC/174/2012-2017

The case between Kuruwita Pradeshiya Sabha (Appellant) and the Divisional Secretary, Divisional Secretariat, Kuruwita (Respondent) addressed whether the Provincial High Court possesses jurisdiction under Article 154P(4)(b) of the Constitution to issue writs, specifically a writ of certiorari, in matters concerning state land, including the quashing of a quit notice under section 3 of the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act. It was held that the Provincial High Courts do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate on writ applications with respect to state land, reaffirming the principle that state land is excluded from the Provincial Council List (List 1) under the 9th Schedule of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This decision relied upon precedent established in The Superintendent, St