Chandrasekera Mahinda Nimal vs Hon. S. M. Chandrasena, Minister of Lands and others and others – CA 150/2021-2025

In the matter of Chandrasekera Mahinda Nimal (Petitioner) and Hon. S. M. Chandrasena (Minister of Lands, later substituted by Hon. Harin Fernando and Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha), S. Vijay Kumar (Divisional Secretary, Laggala), and The Land Reform Commission (Respondents), the court addressed the Petitioner’s entitlement to compensation for land acquired for the Moragahakanda and Kalugaga Development Project. It was held that the 2nd Respondent’s decision to deny compensation was ultra vires due to non-compliance with mandatory procedural requirements of the Land Acquisition Act, specifically Sections 9, 10(1)(b), 10(2), and 10(3). A Writ of Certiorari was issued to quash the impugned decision, reaffirming the principle that statutory procedures for land acquisition and compensation must be stri