Mohamed Faizi vs Municipal Council Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.504/2008-2014

In the case between Mohamed Faizi (Petitioner) and the Municipal Council Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia with Mr. Dhanasiri Amarathunga (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioner, claiming ownership of a particular land, was entitled to a writ of Certiorari to quash the Municipal Council’s rejection of his development application and a writ of Mandamus to compel registration of his name in the Council’s Assessment register. It was held that clear legal title and compliance with relevant municipal laws are prerequisites for such reliefs. The principle established was that substantive procedural and title requirements cannot be circumvented by invoking legitimate expectation or taxpayer status. Reliance was placed on a careful review of title documents, statutory compliance,