Sinha Arachchjge Munasinghe vs A. W.A.Ranaweera – CA PHC203/2007-2017

In the case between Sinha Arachchige Munasinghe (as Competent Authority, Resident Business Manager, ‘B’ Division, Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, and Additional District Secretary of Ampara/Badulla/Polonnaruwa) and A.W.A. Ranaweera, the court addressed whether the respondent was duly authorized as “Competent Authority” to initiate proceedings under the State Land (Recovery of Possession) Act and whether the appellant lawfully occupied the state land in question. It was held that the respondent functioned with requisite authority under the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka Act and the State Land (Recovery of Possession) Act. The court reaffirmed the principle that, in proceedings under section 9 of the Act, the scope is confined to the question of lawful occupation based on valid permit or writ