Yashodha Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd & Yasasiri Kasthuriarachchi vs. Bope Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha & Others – CA WRIT/622/2021-2023

In the case between Yashodha Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd and Bope Poddala Pradeshiya Sabha, the court addressed the issue of whether the suspension of certificates of subdivision for land, previously approved by local authorities, was ultra vires, illegal, or unreasonable. The court determined that the reasons cited by the respondents—specifically, a unanimous decision not to auction the land and public protests—did not constitute sufficient justification for varying or rescinding the previously granted approval. The principle reaffirmed was that administrative authorities must act within the bounds of legal propriety and cannot revoke validly granted approvals without concrete evidence. The decision relied on Section 18 of the Interpretation Ordinance and clarified the standards of administrati