A.V. Marambe Bandara v. National Gem & Jewellery Authority – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 294/2012-2016

In the case of A.V. Marambe Bandara and others v. National Gem & Jewellery Authority and others, the court addressed whether the grant of a gem mining license to the 6th Respondent should be quashed by writ of certiorari, focusing on ownership and procedural requirements pertaining to the land “Palle Elhena Kumbura”. The court held that the Authority had complied with legal and procedural prerequisites in issuing the license, as the 6th Respondent demonstrated satisfactory ownership and had obtained necessary co-owner consent following due inquiry. The key principle reaffirmed was that administrative authorities must base decisions on clear statutory standards and adequate inquiry into land ownership. The decision relied on statutory law governing gem mining licenses, with clear distinctio