J.M.L. Jayasekara vs Abdul Majeed Mohideen Meerasa – CA PHC APN 17/2007-2013

In the matter between J.M.L. Jayasekara, Director General, Urban Development Authority, and Abdul Majeed Mohideen Meerasa, the court considered the legal sufficiency of an application made for the recovery of State land and examined the authority of the respondent to occupy such land. The events reviewed included the issuance of an order by the Magistrate’s Court compelling the respondent to relinquish possession, the failure of a revision application in the High Court, and a subsequent, long-delayed revision application to the Court of Appeal. It was held that the unexplained delay in prosecuting the revision application warranted refusal of prerogative relief, and the document presented by the petitioner failed to constitute valid authority for occupation. The court reaffirmed the rule t