Mohommad Saheed Hajjiar Sitti Raleena et al. vs Minister of Lands et al. – 178/2008-2016

In the case between Mohommad Saheed Hajjiar Sitti Raleena, Mohommad Abdul Cader Sitti Nurul Kulub, Mohommad Abdul Cader Mohommad Ismath Basir (Petitioners/Respondents), and A.Y.S.D. Gunarathne, Minister of Lands, Divisional Secretary Beruwala, and others (Respondents/Appellant), the court addressed whether the Provincial High Court possessed jurisdiction to issue writs of Certiorari and Mandamus in disputes concerning State Lands, specifically relating to the payment of compensation under the Land Acquisition Act. It was held that such jurisdiction is not vested in Provincial High Courts under the Constitution, with the court setting aside the High Court’s order that mandated further inquiry into compensation rights. This determination reaffirmed the constitutional principle that Provincia