MAG Munasingha vs Chairman, National Paper Co Ltd – CA PHC 101/09-2014

Brief
In the case of M.A.G. Munasingha v. Chairman, National Paper Co Ltd, the court addressed whether the High Court’s refusal to exercise its revisionary jurisdiction over a magistrate’s order of ejectment under the Government Quarters (Recovery of Possession) Act No. 7 of 1969 (as amended) was justified, and whether the respondent-appellant demonstrated exceptional circumstances to warrant such intervention. It was held that the requisite exceptional circumstances had not been shown, and therefore, the refusal of revisionary jurisdiction by the High Court stood affirmed. The decision reaffirmed the principle that the exercise of revisionary powers by the High Court is discretionary and is only warranted in the presence of demonstrated exceptional circumstances. Reliance was placed on es