Maturata Plantation Limited vs Jeewan Kumarathunga, Minister of Lands and Land Development – SC Appeal 130/2011-2024

In the case between Maturata Plantation Limited (Appellant) and Jeewan Kumarathunga, Minister of Land and Land Development with associated public officials (Respondents), the court addressed the validity of a divesting order issued under Section 39A of the Land Acquisition Act. It was determined that the statutory requirements, notably the need for written consent from claimants and compliance with all cumulative conditions under Section 39A, were not satisfied. Consequently, the divesting order was found to be invalid due to the absence of concrete evidence of such consent. The judgment relied on established legal principles of statutory interpretation and requirements for administrative compliance, emphasizing that failure to fulfill mandatory procedural safeguards invalidates administra