Dr. D. Wijewardena and others vs E. M. A. J. Ekanayake and Others – CA WRIT/63/2021-2024

In the case between Dr. D. Wijewardena, C. L. Wijewardena, S. R. Wijewardena, W. S. P. Wijewardena (Petitioners) and E. M. A. J. Ekanayake, Leela Senanayake, E. M. T. B. Ekanayake, and others (Respondents), the court addressed the entitlement of the 4th Petitioner to membership in the Nilanthattuwa Farmers’ Organisation and the appropriateness of granting a writ of mandamus compelling such membership under the Agrarian Development Act. It was held that the eligibility criteria set by section 43(4) had been satisfied, and that refusal of membership was not justified by reference to social status, occupation, or other extraneous grounds. The court ordered that membership be conferred subject to submission of due application, reaffirming the principle that statutory entitlements under the Agr