Aswatte Mangalatissa Thero & Others v. A.G.S.S. Edirisuriya & Others – CA 299/2017-2018

The case between Aswatte Mangalatissa Thero (and others) and A.G.S.S. Edirisuriya, Divisional Secretary, Seethawaka, along with the Ceylon Electricity Board and related authorities, addressed the issue of whether interim relief should be granted to restrain the construction of a 220KVA high-voltage electricity line within 100 meters of the Petitioners’ houses. It was held that the Petitioners failed to establish a sufficient basis for the requested interim relief, reaffirming the principle that the balance of convenience, the broader public interest, and proper government policy shall take precedence over private interests where compelling evidence of illegality or harm is lacking. The findings relied on administrative law principles concerning interim relief and the weighing of public int