Kaalanchiyalage Lily Nona, et al. v. Janaka Bandara Tennekoon, et al. – CA WRT/0021/2014-2023

In the case between several residents and local persons (petitioners) and government officials including the Minister of Lands, the Minister of Urban Development, and related bodies (respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the Court of Appeal possessed jurisdiction to hear an application for a writ of certiorari against the acquisition of land under the Urban Development Projects (Special Provisions) Act, No. 2 of 1980. It was held that the Court of Appeal lacks such jurisdiction, as Section 2 of the Act vests exclusive authority in the Supreme Court to entertain matters arising from orders made under this Section. The decision reaffirmed the principle that where jurisdiction is statutorily assigned, only the designated forum may exercise such power. This position relied on