K. D. Sudath Sisira Kumara v. H. M. S. P. Herath et al – CA WRIT/24/2016-2016

In the case between K.D. Sudath Sisira Kumara (petitioner) and public officials including H.M.S.P. Herath and J.M.R.P. Jayasinghe (respondents), the court addressed the issue of the petitioner’s legal right to succeed to a land grant originally held by his late father under the Land Development Ordinance. The court held that the petitioner had no valid legal basis for relief, given the lawful surrender of the grant, issuance of new presidential grants, delay in seeking relief, and the absence of necessary parties in the proceedings. This decision reaffirmed the principle that a proper and accepted surrender of a land permit extinguishes any right arising under it, and relief by way of writ will be refused when statutory and procedural requirements are not met. Reliance was placed on the La