Pettahewage Premaratne vs Divisional Secretary – CA WRIT 364/2011-2013

In the case between Pettahewage Premaratne (petitioner) and the 1st Respondent Divisional Secretary, Rajanganaya, among others, the court addressed the issue of the petitioner’s application regarding State land allocation. The proceedings focused on the petitioner’s motion to withdraw the application prior to the commencement of substantive arguments. The application was permitted to be withdrawn and dismissed without costs. It was established that the State Counsel gave an undertaking to assist the petitioner by apprising the Divisional Secretary to consider the petitioner’s request for alternative State land. This determination reaffirms the principle that withdrawal of applications prior to argument is permissible, with dismissal and typically without an order as to costs, while upholdi