S.V.R.T. Perera vs The Acquiring Officer – CA LAND/ACQ/04/2012-2014

In the case between S.V.R.T. Perera (Appellant) and The Acquiring Officer, Divisional Secretariat, Biyagama (Respondent), the court addressed whether the Board of Review correctly determined compensation for land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act, specifically where the Board decided the matter solely on written submissions, without oral evidence or marked documents. It was established that the absence of oral testimony from valuers or consideration of comparable land valuations undermined the assessment of just compensation. The holding reaffirmed that both oral evidence and marked documentary materials, particularly relating to valuations of neighboring lands and reports from government and private valuers, are essential in such inquiries. Reference was made to Section 45 and Pa