Waga Pedigedara Karunawathie vs Director General Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 463/2011-2013

In the case between Waga Pedigedara Karunawathie (Petitioner) and Director General, Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority & Others (Respondents), the court examined the legality of the administrative process concerning the succession of two crown land grants after the death of the original permit holder. The central issues involved whether the Petitioner’s claimed succession rights as widow were duly considered, whether the authorities breached the principle of natural justice by failing to afford her an opportunity to be heard, and whether the eventual grant of permits to the 6th Respondent was legally justified. It was held that the authorities had acted in accordance with the Land Development Ordinance and that the Petitioner, having failed to assert her claim or notify her legal status in a tim