Pathinayaka Wijesekara Arachchige Lamdiya vs The Divisional Secretary – CNWRIT/43/2013-2015

In the case between Pathinayaka Wijesekara Arachchige Lamdiya alias Lendiyas (Petitioner) and The Divisional Secretary, Agunakolapalassa, The Commissioner of Lands, Galle, and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether a Writ of Mandamus should be issued directing the first and second Respondents to grant land permits to the Petitioner. It was held that such relief could not be granted due to the existence of a prior, court-sanctioned settlement and the Petitioner’s failure to pursue proper appellate remedies. The application was further barred due to laches, as the Petitioner delayed unreasonably in seeking relief. The findings reaffirmed that writ jurisdiction is not available to circumvent final, recorded settlements or to cure procedural lapses, emphasizing the principle that de