Organization for Safeguarding People’s Rights vs. Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkitha Thero and Others – CA WRIT/571/2021-2023

In the case between Organization for Safeguarding People’s Rights (and representatives) as Petitioners and Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya (represented by Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkitha Thero) alongside various state officials as Respondents, the Court addressed whether longstanding Settlement Orders (P-7, P-8, and P-9) made under the Land Settlement Ordinance should be quashed due to alleged legal errors and improper registration. The Court held that the application for judicial review was not maintainable, citing the Petitioners’ failure to discharge the burden of proof and the presence of an inordinate, unexplained delay (laches) in challenging the Settlement Orders. The principle reaffirmed is that administrative decisions are presumed regular, and challenges must meet strict evidentiary