P.S Rohana Premalal vs. E.M.R.P.B. Ekanayake et al. – CA WRIT/459/2021-2022

In the case between P.S. Rohana Premalal and respondents including E.M.R.P.B. Ekanayake (Divisional Secretary, Nuwaragam Palatha East), G.D. Keerthi Gamage (Land Commissioner General), and others, the court addressed the issue of whether the Court of Appeal possessed jurisdiction to entertain a writ application challenging the actions of public officials in State land lease processes, especially in the context of presidential immunity under Article 35 of the Constitution. It was held that the preliminary objection based on presidential immunity was without merit, as the relief sought was directed at decisions by public authorities rather than acts of the President personally. The key principle reaffirmed is that while the President enjoys immunity, actions undertaken by delegated public of