Rajakaruna Mudiyanselage Leelawathie, Mudungoda, Kiralogama v Director General, Mahaweli Authority, et al – CA WRIT 0306/2019-2023

In the case between Rajakaruna Mudiyanselage Leelawathie (petitioner) and the Director General, Resident Project Manager, Commissioner of Lands, Registrar of Lands, Padmawathie, and the Attorney General (respondents), the court addressed the legality of nominating Padmawathie as a successor under the Land Development Ordinance. The court held that the nomination procedure was correctly followed, as the permit and grant had been properly issued in the name of Nandawathi following the death of the original selectee, Punchirala. This reaffirmed the principle that successor nomination rights vest with the official permit holder named after issuance. The decision relied on the interpretation of Section 48A(2) of the Land Development Ordinance, emphasizing the importance of the regularity of the