Bangamage Pragnaratne Sampath v. Chandraprema Gamage et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 278/15-2015

In the case between Bangamage Pragnaratne Sampath (Petitioner) and Chandraprema Gamage (Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs) and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether the appointment of a Provisional Trustee for the Devalaya under Section 17 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance warranted the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus or Certiorari. It was held that relief became unnecessary due to the administrative appointment of Mr. Gunasekera as Provisional Trustee, and with the Asala Festival concluded and an election scheduled, the court determined there was no further practical need to grant writ remedies. The findings reaffirmed the principle that courts will generally refrain from exercising discretionary writ jurisdiction when the substantive relief has already been provid