Jayasooriya vs Ratnayake and Others – sllr 2004 volume 3 page 153

The case between Jayasooriya (Plaintiff) and Ratnayake and Others (Defendants) addressed whether petitioners could seek a writ of certiorari and a writ of mandamus against officers of the Land Reform Commission or were required to direct such relief against the Commission itself. It was held that the Land Reform Commission is the entity vested with statutory authority to alienate property and is a necessary party to such applications. The decision reaffirmed the principle that judicial relief by way of mandamus is only available against parties lawfully empowered by statute. Reliance was placed on statutory provisions and established Supreme Court precedent, underscoring that failure to name the Commission as a party rendered the application defective and subject to dismissal.

Sripavan J.