K.M. Chandralatha v Commissioner General of Lands, Department of Commissioner General of Lands, Divisional Secretary, Karukkan Mullege Piyasena and K.M.D. Wimalaweera alias Babanis – CA WRIT/206/14-2021

The case between K.M. Chandralatha and Commissioner General of Lands & Others addressed the issue of lawful succession to a state-allocated paddy field (Lot No. 124) under the Land Development Ordinance. It was determined that the administrative transfer of the land from the original grantee’s lineage to the 4th Respondent, and subsequent approval for a further transfer to the 3rd Respondent, were undertaken without proper inquiry and contrary to statutory procedures. The findings established that the alleged marriage between the original grantee and Punchi Ridi was not substantiated by sufficient evidence to validate a claim of succession through the 4th Respondent. The principle reaffirmed was that succession under the Land Development Ordinance must adhere strictly to its prescribed ord