Balangoda Plantations PLC vs. The Honourable Minister of Lands and others – CA WRIT 226/2022-2025

In the matter of Balangoda Plantations PLC and the Minister of Lands, Divisional Secretary Badulla, and Secretary to the Ministry of Education, the court addressed the legality of acquiring 12 acres of Wewasse Estate land for the Uva Wellassa University. The Petitioner challenged the acquisition on grounds including non-compliance with the Land Acquisition Act, inadequate inquiry, ultra vires application of section 38 proviso (a), and breach of legitimate expectation. The court held that the Respondents had sufficiently complied with the Act’s provisions, justified the urgency for immediate possession, and rejected arguments regarding legitimate expectation and *mala fides*. It was reaffirmed that JEDB land, though considered State land for certain purposes, could be acquired by the State