Dulma Dorathy Valentina vs H M Abeygunasinghe Banda – C A PHC 184/2011-2018

In the case between Dulma Dorathy Valentina and H M Abeygunasinghe Banda, Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Development, the court addressed whether the Respondents’ decision, finding no obstruction to an agricultural road, should be quashed by writ of certiorari as sought by the Appellant. It was held that the relief sought was discretionary and not an entitlement as of right; the inconsistent conduct of the Appellant, including multiple complaints and failure to pursue a writ of mandamus for a fresh inquiry, weighed against granting writ relief. The principle reaffirmed is that discretionary writs may be refused based on applicant conduct, as established in Jayaweera v. Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Services Ratnapura and relevant statutory framework. The judgment underscores court