Punchihewage Wijedasa Senadeera v. Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Development et al. – CA PHC APPEAL NO. 129/09-2016

In the case between Punchihewage Wijedasa Senadeera (Petitioner-Appellant) and Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Development, Jinadasa Apalawatta, and Thalle Dewananda Thero (Respondents-Respondents), the court addressed whether the suspension of the Petitioner’s right to cultivate a disputed paddy field by the Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Development was contrary to the Agrarian Development Act No. 46 of 2000 and the principles of natural justice. It was held that the administrative action taken was lawful, with no requirement for a prior hearing under the circumstances, and that the Assistant Commissioner had acted properly due to the District Court order awarding possession to the second Respondent. The holding reaffirmed the principle that discretionary writ relief is only avail