Athula Paranayapa Service (Pvt) Ltd. v. Anuradhapura Municipal Council – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.456/08-2016

In Athula Paranayapa Service (Pvt) Ltd. v. Anuradhapura Municipal Council and Others, the court addressed whether the Anuradhapura Municipal Council lawfully increased advertising hoarding charges from Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 per square foot in 2008. The court held that the increase was lawful, neither arbitrary nor ultra vires, and that the council had properly complied with required legal procedures for adopting and enforcing the relevant by-laws. The holding reaffirmed the principle that local authorities may adjust fees within the statutory framework, provided proper procedure—including gazetting and adoption via resolution—is observed. This decision relied on the Municipal Council Ordinance, the Local Authorities (Standard By-Laws) Act No. 6 of 1952, and relevant judicial precedents, emphas