Pemawathie Ariyadasa vs M.J.D. Fernando – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 210/2019-2021

In the case between Pemawathie Ariyadasa, Nandani Malawara Arachchi, and Malawara Arachchige Ariyatilake (Petitioners) and M.J.D. Fernando, General Manager of Railways, the Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the Petitioners remained in unauthorised occupation of State land following the expiry of their lease with Sri Lanka Railways and whether the State’s actions under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act No. 7 of 1979 were lawful. It was determined that the Petitioners’ occupation after lease expiry was unauthorised, and that the State was entitled to recover possession under the Act. The application for writs of Certiorari and Mandamus was dismissed, reaffirming that lawful pos