Herath Mudiyanselage Dingiri Banda vs The Land Commissioner General – CA 293/2007-2012

The case between Herath Mudiyanselage Dingiri Banda (Petitioner) and the Land Commissioner General, Divisional Secretary of Kotawehera, and others (Respondents) addressed the lawfulness of the cancellation of a land development permit previously issued to the Petitioner’s deceased father and later transferred to the Petitioner pursuant to the Land Development Ordinance. It was held that the cancellation decision, carried out by the 2nd Respondent, was vitiated by procedural impropriety, specifically bias by pre-determination and the absence of adequate reasons, in breach of natural justice. The principle reaffirmed is that administrative decisions affecting rights must be procedurally fair, free from bias, and accompanied by sufficient reasoning, especially where statutory powers are exerc