Widana Ralalage Dona Wasana Thilini Ratnayake vs. Hon. Minister of Western Development and Megapolice – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 308/2018-2023

In the case between Widana Ralalage Dona Wasana Thilini Ratnayake (and her parents) and the Hon. Minister of Western Development and Megapolice (among others), the court addressed the issue of whether a ministerial order declaring land as an “Urban Development Area” was lawful under the Town and Country Planning Ordinance. It was determined that the procedural requirements, specifically those relating to the existence of an operative regional planning scheme or requisite consent from the Regional Planning Committee, were not satisfied prior to issuing the impugned Gazette order. Accordingly, the court held the order to be ultra vires and allowed the writ application, quashing the Minister’s order with costs. This decision reaffirmed the principle that strict compliance with mandatory statu