Rashid v. Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Lands and Others – sllr 2004 volume 1 page 312

In the case between Rashid (Plaintiff/Appellant) and Rajitha Senaratne, Minister of Lands (Defendant), along with other state respondents, the court considered whether a writ of mandamus and certiorari should be issued compelling the divestment of land previously acquired under the Land Acquisition Act where the land had not been utilized for a public purpose over an extended period. The holding determined that the protracted inaction—specifically, a 17-year delay following the acquisition without use of the land for a public purpose—warranted the divestment of the property to the appellant and the quashing of the vesting certificate. The findings reaffirmed that finality of title and compensation can arise, and the continued non-fulfillment of public use allows for the application of sect