Competent Authority vs. Dasanayakalage Karunaratne alias David Singno – CA PHC 47-2019-2024

In the case between the Competent Authority, Plantation Management Monitoring Division, Ministry of Plantation Industries (Plaintiff/Respondent) and Dasanayakalage Karunaratne alias David Singno (Defendant/Petitioner/Appellant), the court addressed the issue of whether the statutory requirements for serving a quit notice and the consideration of deeds regarding disputed state land were satisfied under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act. The court held that service of the quit notice was properly effected and that the deeds produced by the Appellant did not establish any right against the State. The principle reaffirmed was that procedural compliance and substantive review of claims under the Act are necessary, and that discretionary revision is not to be exercised absent exceptio