Kumastheru Liyange Sumudu Chinthaka vs Bandula Jayasinghe and others – C.A. (Writ) Application No: 0576 / 2024-2025

In the matter of the Petitioner and the Commissioner General of Lands, the court addressed the issue of land succession under the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) and the retrospective application of amendments. The Petitioner sought writs of certiorari and mandamus to quash a decision by the Commissioner General of Lands and compel the issuance of a land permit. The core dispute involved succession to a land grant following the grantee’s death in 1998, where a nominated successor failed to take possession, leading to a dispute between the Petitioner and the 4th Respondent. The court held that the Land Development Ordinance (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2022 does not operate retrospectively in the absence of express provision, reaffirming the principle that succession is governed by the law pr