K. A. R. P. Dharmaratne vs Dr. C. Gunasekara – CA WRIT 416/2009-2015

In the case between K. A. R. P. Dharmaratne (Petitioner) and Dr. C. Gunasekara, P.L. Jayantha Senadheera, and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether writ relief could be granted to the petitioner in respect of rights and title to land that had already been adjudicated by the District Court. It was held that writ jurisdiction cannot be exercised to disturb or override a final determination by a competent court on the same subject matter. The principle reaffirmed was that the jurisdiction of writ should not be invoked to re-litigate issues already conclusively decided by another court. This determination relied on the finality attached to judicial decisions by competent courts, emphasizing that once rights to property have been adjudicated and determined, subsequent applications f