A.R.H. Mohideen et al. vs Colombo Municipal Council et al. – 466/2020-2022

In the case of A.R.H. Mohideen and others (Petitioners) v. Colombo Municipal Council and others (Respondents), the court addressed whether operators of poultry shops on Bastian Mawatha, Colombo 11, possessed a legal right or legitimate expectation to remain at their business premises, and whether writs of mandamus or prohibition should issue preventing their removal by the Urban Development Authority (UDA). The court determined that where core factual disputes exist regarding the location and ownership of property—specifically, whether the Petitioners’ shops were situated within land vested in the UDA—writ relief is inappropriate, as such matters are better resolved through trial. It was held that no legitimate expectation arises in the absence of legal authorization to occupy the premises