Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus et al. vs. S.G. Wijayabandu et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 457/2015-2021

In the case between Dr. Malcolm Stanislaus and others (representing the Lions Club International Sight First Hospital Trust) and officials of the Ministry of Education (Western Province) along with associated provincial authorities, the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioners had a legitimate expectation to a long-term lease over state land based on representations from the provincial authorities. It was held that no such legitimate expectation could arise as the provincial authorities lacked legal authority to grant or promise a lease of state land, reaffirming the principle that only the President has the power to alienate or lease state lands, pursuant to the State Lands Ordinance and the constitutional framework. Reliance was placed on constitutional and statutory provisio