Galauda Gedara Kalubanda Dayapala v. Provincial Land Commissioner – 144/2010-2016

In the case between Galauda Gedara Kalubanda Dayapala and others (Plaintiffs/Appellants) and the Provincial Land Commissioner, Anuradhapura and others (Defendants/Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the Provincial High Court of Anuradhapura possessed jurisdiction under Article 154P of the Constitution and the High Court of the Provinces (Special Provisions) Act to determine applications for writs of Certiorari relating to state land. It was held that the Provincial High Court lacked such jurisdiction since state land matters remained within the authority of the Central Government, as outlined in the Constitution and the 13th Amendment. The court reaffirmed the principle that jurisdiction in respect of state land is reserved exclusively for the Central Government, with re