D.H.M.P. Dickowita vs J.L.H.I. Kumarihamy et al. – CA WRIT/804/2009-2009

In the case between D.H.M.P. Dickowita (petitioner) and J.L.H.I. Kumarihamy, Nimal Wickramaratna, Nihal Wijenayaka, the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (respondents), the court addressed whether the petitioner was entitled to occupy government quarters following retirement, and whether writs of certiorari and mandamus should issue under Article 140 of the Constitution to compel or restrain the respondents in this regard. It was held that, as the petitioner had retired and therefore no longer qualified for government accommodation, the court could not grant the relief sought. The principle was reaffirmed that entitlement to occupy government quarters is contingent upon current employment status with the r