Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Upul Sanath Kumara Bandara vs Pitabeddara Pradeshiya Sabha Millaela – CA/WRT/0239/21-2025

In the case between Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Upul Sanath Kumara Bandara (representing the Seventh Day Adventist Church) and Pitabeddara Pradeshiya Sabha, the court addressed the issue of writs of certiorari and mandamus pertaining to administrative decisions concerning the issuance and cancellation of building permits for a place of worship. The court held that the application was devoid of merit due to the nondisclosure of material facts by the petitioners, thereby reaffirming the principle that full and frank disclosure is a prerequisite in judicial review proceedings. This decision relied on established case law, including Alponso Appuhamy v Hettiarachchi and Walkers Sons & Company Ltd. v Wijesena, emphasizing that applications lacking candor may be dismissed without substantive consider