Gamarallage Somawathie et al. v. Divisional Secretary et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION 69/2012-2016

In the case between Gamarallage Somawathie and others (petitioners) and the Divisional Secretary, Divisional Secretariat, Ruwanwella and others (respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether prerogative writs—specifically, Writs of Certiorari and Prohibition—could be issued to quash a procedural certificate that served as the basis for an eviction order, or to restrain enforcement of a judicial ejectment order. The findings established that such writs are unavailable once a substantive judicial order has been made and is being executed by valid authorities. It was determined that a writ of certiorari does not lie against a procedural step that has been superseded by a judicial determination, and a writ of prohibition cannot restrain the lawful enforcement of a court’s order by the