Ranathunga Arachchige Karunarathne Ranatunga v Commissioner General of Lands et al – 396/2018-2022

In the case between Ranathunga Arachchige Karunarathne (petitioner) and multiple State entities including the Commissioner General of Lands and the Director of Land Acquisition (respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of mandamus could be issued to compel the release or retransfer of land previously acquired by the State for public purposes. It was held that the petitioner was not entitled to such relief, given the completion of the acquisition process, payment of compensation, and the State’s resulting title to the land. The principle reaffirmed is that, once property is acquired for a public purpose and compensation is paid, a claimant’s delayed assertion of rights—especially after a significant lapse of time—will typically be barred by the doctrine of laches. This