Herath Mudiyanselage Karunaratna vs Wanninayaka Mudiyanselage Chandana Kumara Wanninayaka – CA PHC/0066/2012-2024

In the case between Herath Mudiyanselage Karunaratna (representing Karunathilaka Stores, Meewellawa) and Wanninayaka Mudiyanselage Chandana (Divisional Secretary, Acting – Nikawaratiya), the court addressed the issue of whether the competent authority’s issuance of a quit notice under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act was proper after correcting errors in land naming, and whether reliance could be placed on a previously quashed notice and earlier writ application to support continued occupation. The court held that the actions of the competent authority were lawful, and the appellant’s position lacked merit, reaffirming that proper procedure under the Act must be followed for ejectment and that earlier irregularities corrected by subsequent notices cure defects. This decision re