Pemawathie Ariyadasa and others Vs. M.J.D. Fernando and others – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 210/2019-2019

In Pemawathie Ariyadasa and Nandani Malawara Arachchi v. M.J.D. Fernando, Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and the Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed whether the Petitioners were entitled to Writs of Certiorari and Mandamus under Article 140 of the Constitution to quash a quit notice, compel the execution of a new lease, and stay eviction proceedings from State land following the expiry of a lease. It was determined that, following the expiration of the last valid lease, the Petitioners occupied the State land without legal authority, and the actions initiated under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act, including eviction, were proper and compliant with statutory requirements. The principle reaffirmed is that continued possession of State land without a