Mohamed Thawfeek Mukthar et al. vs J.I. Ratnasiri – SC APPEAL NO. 12/2006-2009

In the case between the Mukthar family appellants (Appellants-Respondents-Appellants, including substituted members) and J.I. Ratnasiri, Divisional Secretary and Acquiring Officer (Respondent-Appellant-Respondent), the issue addressed was whether the market value of property subject to acquisition should be determined as of the date of commencement of the Colombo District (Low Lying Areas) Reclamation and Development Board Act, No. 15 of 1968 (22.09.1968) or as of the date of publication of the Section 7 Notice under the Land Acquisition Act (24.04.1981). The court held that the determination of the relevant valuation date involved legal interpretation of statutory provisions rather than merely factual assessment. It was found that the Board of Review had made inferences unsupported by evi