E.J.K. P. Piyadasa vs. Urban Council of Balangoda, Balangoda, et al – CA PHC 176/2006-2006

In the case between E.J.K. P. Piyadasa (Petitioner-Appellant) and the Urban Council of Balangoda and others (Respondents-Respondents), the court addressed the legality of the decision to call for tenders for public market stalls already occupied by the Appellant and the availability of writ remedies to challenge such administrative action. It was held that writs of certiorari and mandamus would not issue where the Appellant, having participated in the very tender process under challenge, was found to have acquiesced in the administrative proceedings, barring relief absent a patent lack of jurisdiction. The principle reaffirmed is that equitable writ relief is discretionary, and participation in, or acquiescence to, an administrative process precludes a challenge unless a plain and incurabl