Polwatta Keerthi Sarathchandra Ranaweera v Yaman Sapuge Jagath – CA PHC/135/2006-2006

In the case between Polwatta Keerthi Sarathchandra Ranaweera (4th Respondent–Appellant) and Yaman Sapuge Jagath and others (Petitioner–Respondents), along with the Southern Province Passenger Transport Authority and officials (Respondents–Respondents), the court addressed whether a writ of certiorari should issue to quash passenger transport permit No. 002755 granted to the appellant, given that the permit had expired before the decision of the Provincial High Court. The court held that issuance of such relief was rendered academic and futile, as the permit had lapsed prior to the issuance of the writ. The principle reaffirmed was that courts will not grant remedies that have no practical utility, especially where events have rendered the matter moot. Reliance was placed on established pre