Singappullige Mallika Kusumalatha v. The General Manager, Electrical, et al. – CA WRIT NO. 334/2012-2016

In the case between Singappullige Mallika Kusumalatha (petitioner) and The General Manager, Ceylon Electricity Board and others (respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of mandamus should be issued to compel the Ceylon Electricity Board to relocate an electricity post situated on the petitioner’s land, as per administrative directives. The holding determined that, in view of an available statutory remedy under Section 39(1) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, the petitioner withdrew the mandamus application, and the proceedings were dismissed. The court reaffirmed the principle that where a specific statutory remedy exists, judicial intervention by writ may not be appropriate. This decision relied on the legislative framework governing public utilities interventions, em