Saunders vs Abeyratne – clr volume 1 page 071

In the case between the Government (plaintiff) and the property owner (defendant appellant), the court addressed whether the Land Acquisition Ordinance permitted the acquisition of a building independently of the land on which it stands. The court held that the Ordinance restricts acquisition to land only and does not extend to structures separate from the land. Therefore, the amended reference seeking to acquire a building was found legally unfounded. The proceedings were marred by procedural irregularities, and it was determined that no compensation for damages relating to the removal or impairment of the building, nor for post-acquisition losses, was authorized under the applicable law. The dispute reaffirmed the principle that the Land Acquisition Ordinance’s scope is confined strictly