Ven. Maharambawawe Palitha Thero vs. P.A.U.W. Pitigala and others – CA 57/2017-2017

In the case between Ven. Maharambawawe Palitha Thero (Petitioner) and P.A.U.W. Pitigala – Officer in Charge, Habarana Police Station, along with other police and administrative respondents, the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of mandamus should be issued to compel police authorities to provide security measures for the petitioner in light of an existing Magistrate’s Court order directing the same. It was held that the existence of an adequate alternative remedy—namely, the restraining order previously granted by the Magistrate’s Court in case No. A.R. 808/2017—precluded the issuance of notice for the writ. The principle reaffirmed was that discretionary relief in the form of mandamus need not be granted when satisfactory remedies already exist. The decision relied upon establis