T. A. N. S. Thevarapperuma vs. J. M. C. Priyadarshani et al. – CA WRIT/353/2022-2022

In the case between T. A. N. S. Thevarapperuma and J. M. C. Priyadarshani, Secretary, Ministry of Plantation Industries, and others, the issue concerned the legality and constitutionality of a quit notice (“P19”) issued under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act No. 7 of 1979. The dispute focused on whether the land in question was private or State Land, the appropriateness of the service of notices, and whether due process had been followed by the competent authority in instituting eviction proceedings. After reviewing the statutory framework, documentary evidence, and judicial precedents, it was held that the competent authority’s decision for eviction was based on a rational assessment, and the application for judicial mandates was refused. The decision affirmed that compliance