Densil Wimalasiri vs Divisional Secretary – CA PHC 54/09-2014

In the case between Densil Wimalasiri, President, Welfare Society, Sri Dharmasoka Resting Hall, Anuradapura, and the Divisional Secretary, Nuwara Gam Palatha – Central, Pandulagama, Anuradapura, the court addressed whether the Provincial High Court possessed jurisdiction to entertain a writ application regarding State land, and whether the High Court had exceeded its authority by interpreting constitutional provisions potentially reserved for the Supreme Court under Article 125 of the Constitution. It was held that, pursuant to Supreme Court precedents including Billimoria v. Minister of Lands, Premachandra v. Major Montego Jayawickrama, and Solai Muttu Rasu v. Superintendent of Stafford Estate, Provincial High Courts have no jurisdiction concerning State land, and referral to the Supreme