Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Chandrawathie Rathnayake v. Chairman, Polgahawela Pradeshiya Sabha – CA PHC/200/2012-2017

In the case between the Chairman, Polgahawela Pradeshiya Sabha, Polgahawela and Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Chandrawathie Rathnayake (Prarthana Café, Alawwa Junction, Polgahawela), the court addressed whether the decision to evict the Petitioner-Respondent from canteen premises at the Polgahawela Bus Stand was lawful and whether the Provincial High Court erred in granting a writ of certiorari in a purely contractual dispute. It was held that the relationship between the parties was contractual in nature, and that the exercise of writ jurisdiction was inappropriate in such circumstances, as no legitimate expectation or legally protectable right was established on the part of the Petitioner-Respondent. This decision reaffirmed the principle that writ jurisdiction is not available to resolve disp