Solaimuthu Rasu vs. The Superintendent, S.C.K. De Alwis, The Attorney-General – CA PHC APPEAL 37/2001-2013

Brief
In Solaimuthu Rasu v. The Superintendent, S.C.K. De Alwis, and The Attorney-General, the Supreme Court considered whether the Provincial High Court of Kandy possessed jurisdiction to entertain an application relating to a quit notice under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act. It was determined that the authority over “State Land” rests primarily with the Centre and that Provincial Councils do not acquire jurisdiction unless land is formally made available to them by the Government. The ruling established that the Provincial High Court lacked jurisdiction in this instance, resulting in the setting aside of the Court of Appeal’s order and affirmation of the Provincial High Court’s initial decision. Core reliance was placed on constitutional provisions concerning legislative di