S.A.D. Perera Vs Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, Office of the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, and others – CA WRT APPLICATION 37/2020-2023

In the case between S.A.D. Perera, proprietor of COOLMan Ice Factory (Plaintiff), and the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha, its Chairman, and associated bodies (Defendants), the court addressed the legality of a resolution barring the transportation of lawfully extracted and approved groundwater for commercial purposes beyond the Sabha’s territorial limits. It was held that the resolution passed by the Pradeshiya Sabha was arbitrary and without lawful justification, especially since the petitioner had complied with statutory requirements under the Water Resources Board Act and had obtained all necessary approvals. The decision reaffirmed the principle that administrative authorities must adhere to procedural fairness and provide reasons for decisions, relying on statutory provisions and re