Prasad Muditha Wanasinghe v. Land Reform Commission, et al. – 0081/2019-2023

In the case between Prasad Muditha Wanasinghe (Petitioner) and the Land Reform Commission, Sirimewan Dias, Senerath Rateralagegedara, and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of legal ownership and classification of “lot A” in Survey Plan No. 2258. The court held that due to conflicting evidence and material factual disputes relating to land identification and ownership, the matter could not be resolved solely on affidavit evidence in writ proceedings. It was reaffirmed that when important factual matters are in dispute, writ jurisdiction should not be exercised and such issues should be determined in a full trial setting. The decision emphasized the need for procedural fairness (audi alteram partem), but found that a hearing is not required where substant