K. W. A. Sarath Sanjeewa vs Mrs. R. M. A. C. Herath et al. – CA WRT/0030/2019-2019

In the case between K. W. A. Sarath Sanjeewa (Plaintiff) and Mrs. R. M. A. C. Herath (Commissioner General of Lands), Mr. H. S. K. J. Bandara (Divisional Secretary), and Bamunusinghe Arachchige Gunasinghe (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of the validity of the petitioner’s nomination as successor to certain paddy lands under the Land Development Ordinance (LDO). It was held that the petitioner failed to establish the legal requirements for succession and registration as mandated by the LDO, including eligibility based on statutory succession rules and compliance with registration procedures. The principle reaffirmed is that only lawful successors, properly nominated and registered according to statutory requirements, may claim rights in respect of crown land grants. This decisi