Konara Mudiyanselage Sudu Banda vs Simon Fernando Gamini Harischandra and others – 01/2019-2022

In the case between Konara Mudiyanselage Sudu Banda (petitioner) and Simon Fernando Gamini Harischandra, the Commissioner of Lands, and others (respondents), the court addressed whether a writ application challenging a presidential grant of state land could be maintained, and whether the absence of an affidavit renders the application invalid. It was held that presidential immunity under Articles 33 and 35 of the Constitution does not preclude judicial review of administrative acts by officials, even where such acts rely on presidential authority, provided the President is not named as a party. This determination relied on the precedent set in Karunathilaka v. Dayananda Dissanayake, affirming that the scope of immunity is personal and does not shield officials from legal scrutiny. Addition