Bandula Sujith Senarathna vs. Y. I. M. Silva – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO.: 394/2016-2016

In the case between Bandula Sujith Senarathna (Petitioner) and Y. I. M. Silva, Divisional Secretary, Mirigama (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioner, claiming to be a bona fide purchaser, was entitled to a writ of certiorari quashing a quit notice issued under the Land Acquisition Act in respect of a disputed land. It was held that the petitioner failed to establish a bona fide title, as neither the petitioner nor the predecessor-in-title provided sufficient documentation or cooperated with required surveys and state investigations. The principle reaffirmed was that claimants to land subject to state acquisition proceedings must substantiate title and act in good faith, particularly when contesting governmental authority over state land. Reliance was placed o