T.M. Chandana De Silva vs. Hon. Minister of Lands, et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION 103/2020-2022

In the case between T.M. Chandana De Silva (Petitioner) and the Hon. Minister of Lands, Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Divisional Secretary, Thihagoda, and Director-Land Acquisition, Ministry of Lands (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the refusal by the Secretary to the Ministry of Lands and/or the Director (Land Acquisition) to divest land acquired by the State should be quashed by a writ of certiorari under Article 140 of the Constitution. It was determined that the statutory conditions under Section 39A of the Land Acquisition Act, which mandate the fulfillment of four cumulative requirements for divestiture, had not been met as compensation had already been paid. The court further highlighted the undue delay by the Petitioner in seeking judicial review and found no