J.M.C. Priyadarshani vs Rajapaksa Mohottige Sirisena – CA PHC 129/2016-2022

In the case between J.M.C. Priyadarshani, Competent Authority, Plantation Management Monitoring Division, Ministry of Plantation Industries (Applicant/Appellant), and Rajapaksa Mohottige Sirisena, subsequently substituted by Ranawaka Arachchige Ariyawathi (Respondent/Respondent), the court addressed whether the Provincial High Court of Ratnapura possessed jurisdiction to determine a revision application relating to the recovery of possession of state lands. It was held that the High Court retains revisionary jurisdiction in such matters and that the previous dismissal by the High Court, premised on a mistaken interpretation of constitutional provisions, was erroneous. The decision reaffirmed that Articles 154P(3)(b) and 154P(4) of the Constitution distinguish between writ and appellate/rev