Amarakoonge Piyasena & A. P. L. Traders (Pvt) Limited v K. D. S. Sajeewana & Others – CA WRIT/16/2021-2021

In the case between Amarakoonge Piyasena and A. P. L. Traders (Pvt) Limited (Petitioners) and K. D. S. Sajeewana, Divisional Secretary of Horana, and the Road Development Authority and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether the Petitioners were entitled to a writ of Certiorari to quash quit notices issued under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act and a writ of Mandamus to compel a grant of State land or alternative land on long-term lease. It was held that the Petitioners failed to establish adequate legal or factual grounds to challenge the quit notices or to prove arbitrariness or malice on the part of the Respondents. The principle reaffirmed was that permissions to occupy State land are strictly temporary and any long-term lease or grant must adhere to applicable le