Senanayake v. Damunupola – sllr 1982 volume 2 page 621

In Senanayake v. Damunupola, the Court addressed whether the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act could be invoked to displace a long-term occupant in circumstances where serious doubt existed over the land’s status as “State land.” The dispute involved the appellant’s claim of undisturbed possession for over six decades, inheritance chains, and conflicting evidence regarding the title and reservation status of the property. Upon review of multiple reports, plans, and contrary statutory interpretations, it was held that the Act was not intended to dislodge long-standing possessors amidst unresolved questions of State title. The decision relied on statutory construction and pertinent precedent, setting aside the appellate decision and ordering the issue of a Writ of Certiorari in favor