J. S. Dominic vs Hon. Jeevan Kumarathunga – S. C. APPEAL NO. 83/08-2010

Brief
In the case between J. S. Dominic (Petitioner-Appellant) and the Minister of Lands, Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Urban Development Authority, Finco Limited, and other institutional respondents, the court addressed whether the Court of Appeal erred in upholding preliminary objections to a writ application and in rejecting a motion to amend the petition to add necessary parties. The holding determined that the decisions dismissing the amended petition and declining to add new parties were erroneous, establishing that preliminary objections were insufficient to defeat the application. The principle reaffirmed is that procedural fairness requires the admission of necessary parties in administrative law proceedings, especially where substantial relief is sought. The decision relied