K. G. Keerthi Karangoda et al. vs. National Gem and Jewellery Authority et al. – SC MISC 02/2016-2024

In the case between K. G. Keerthi Karangoda, Amuthagoda, K. Sarath Gamini (Appellants) and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Udaya R. Seneviratne (Respondents), a dispute arose concerning the issuance of a gem mining licence for the land known as “Hiran Kumbura Owita” in Amuthagoda, Ratnapura. The central legal issue focused on whether the appellants possessed a sufficient proprietary interest—specifically, two-thirds ownership—as required for the mining licence under historical land tenure frameworks and statutes including the Service Tenures Ordinance and related acts. The court held that the appellants failed to conclusively prove entitlement to the requisite share and thus were not entitled to the gem mining licence. This holding reaffirmed the principle that registries under t