Kankanamlage Chalana Nilanga Vs. G.D.L. Udaya Kumari, et al. – CA PHC 236/2017-2022

In the case between Kankanamlage Chalana Nilanga (Petitioner-Appellant) and G.D.L. Udaya Kumari, Divisional Secretary, Kalawana, and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether the Petitioner-Appellant was entitled to an extension or renewal of a sand mining license previously granted and subsequently refused. It was held that no entitlement arose for license renewal in the absence of a direct application to the relevant authority or exhaustion of statutory remedies, and that neither the doctrine of legitimate expectation nor principles of natural justice had been infringed. The principle reaffirmed is that discretionary licensing under the Mines and Minerals Act must be exercised in accordance with statutory provisions, with judicial review only warranted upon demonstration of illeg