A.P. Saman Chandana Kumara v. D.H. Udayangani Sandamali & Others – CA WRT/203/20-2023

The case between A.P. Saman Chandana Kumara (plaintiff) and D.H. Udayangani Sandamali (Divisional Secretary), the Provincial Land Commissioner, and others (defendants/respondents), addressed whether a writ of Certiorari and Mandamus could be issued regarding the alleged encroachment and leasing of the plaintiff’s land by the State. It was determined that the Court’s writ jurisdiction was not maintainable due to unresolved material disputes over the boundary and title, specifically the absence of a valid Title Plan and reliance on a privately prepared plan. This holding reaffirmed the principle that judicial review is not available for matters where the facts are in substantial dispute and directs such cases to be tried in a District Court. The decision relied on established case law which