Narandeniye Deepananda Thero vs Martin Ekanayake and others – SC Appeal 245/2016-2025

In the matter of Narandeniye Deepananda Thero and the Assistant Commissioner of Agrarian Development, the court addressed the issue of the Provincial High Court’s jurisdiction to issue writs concerning devolved subjects. It was held that Provincial High Courts possess jurisdiction to issue writs against any person exercising power ‘within the Province’ under any law or provincial statute, provided the subject matter is devolved and the qualitative scope of the power exercised is provincial. This decision reaffirmed the principle of devolution of power under the Thirteenth Amendment and the purpose of establishing Provincial High Courts to resolve local disputes. The ruling clarified the interpretation of Article 154P of the Constitution and the application of *M.P. Wijesuriya Vs Nimalawath