Gamini Ranasinghe vs Mr. Rishard Badurdeen – CA WRIT 0169/19-2021

In the case between Gamini Ranasinghe (Petitioner) and Mr. Rishard Badurdeen, Minister of Small Industries Commerce and Trade, Mr. Gayantha Karunatilaka, Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms, and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether temporary permission to occupy state land, coupled with subsequent communications, created a legitimate expectation of a long-term lease in favor of the Petitioner. It was held that no legitimate expectation arose as the permissions were explicitly temporary and contingent upon the Petitioner first returning vacant possession, a condition which remained unfulfilled. The principles reaffirmed require that legitimate expectation must be based on an unambiguous, clear, and unconditional promise by the authorities. The decision drew