IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an application for mandates in the nature of Writs of Certiorari and Mandamus in terms of Article 140 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

1. S.G Joseph Santiago, No. 09, Bandaranayaka Mawatha, Ratnapura.

PETITIONER CA No. CA/Writ/0016/2019 v.

1. K. Uthayarajah, The Divisional Secretary, The Divisional Secretariat, Vavuniya.

1A. N. Kamalathasan, The Divisional Secretary, The Divisional Secretariat, Vavuniya.

2. I. M. Haneefa, The District Secretary, The District Secretariat, Vavuniya.

2A. S. M. Saman Bandulasena The District Secretary, The District Secretariat, Vavuniya.

3. P. Kuganathan, Provincial Land Commissioner, Department of Provincial land Commissioner, Northern-Provincial Council, No. 80, Kandy Road, Chundukkuli, Jaffna.

3A. A. Sothinathan, Provincial Land Commissioner, Department of Provincial Land Commissioner, Northen-Provincial Council, No. 59, Temple Road, Jaffna.

4. R. M. C. B. Herath, Commissioner General of Land, Land Commissioner General ‘s Department, “Mihikathamadura”, No: 1200/6, Rajamalwatte Road, Battaramulla.

5. Joseph Selliah Thevetheepan, No. 208, Main Road, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

6. Thoondil Kandasamy, No. 202, Thanalaxmi Stores, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

7. Milar Fatima Rani, Nee Selliah Fatima, No. 10, Old Kaccheriya Road, Ratnapura.

8. Thyageshwaran Thushanthi, Vishnu Kovil Road, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

9. Kandasamy Thayalan, C/O T. Kandasamy, No. 202, Thanalaxmi Stores, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

10.Kandasamy Tharshika, C/O T. Kandasamy, No. 202, Thanalaxmi Stores, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

11.N. Lasitha, ‘Sampath Enterprise’, No. 208, Main Road, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

12.Jeruratnam Nesan, No. 128, Kovilputhukkulam, Vavuniya.

13.Thuraisingham Sarojinidevi, No. 267, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

14.Innasi Vincent Siriya Pushpam, Alaiadi Street, Kovilkulam, Vavuniya.

RESPONDENTS BEFORE : M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J. &

M. Ahsan. R. Marikar J.

COUNSEL : Shantha Jayawardena with Azra Basheer for the Petitioner.

N. Kahawita, S.C. for 1^st – 4^th Respondents.

Harindi Seneviratne for the 5^th to 10^th and

13^th Respondents.

B. N. Thambo with K. Jackson for the 12^th Respondent.

ARGUED ON : 27.02.2024 DECIDED ON : 03.05.2024 M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J.

Introduction The Petitioner instituted these proceedings seeking inter-alia, writ of certiorari;

i. To quash the decision to appoint/recognise/accept the 5^th Respondent as the successor to the Grant ‘P 2’, reflected in ‘P 20’, [The minutes of meeting marked ‘P 20’.]

ii. To quash the decision to issue long term leases to the 5^th and 7^th to 10^th Respondents in respect of the land alienated on the annual Permit, [contained in minutes marked ‘P 20’.]

iii. To quash the document marked ‘P 20’.

iv. To quash the letter marked ‘P 13’.

Writ of mandamus;

i. Directing the 1^st to 4^th Respondents to appoint/recognise the Petitioner as the successor to the Grant ‘P 2’.

ii. Directing the 1^st to 4^th Respondents to issue lease or other legal means to the surviving children of Joseph Selliah in respect of the land alienated on the annual Permit.

Without prejudiced to the above, a writ of mandamus directing the 1^st to 4^th Respondents to hold an appropriate inquiry/hearing to determine the entitlement of the land alienated on the annual Permit.

The 1^st Respondent; 7^th to 10^th Respondents and the 12^th Respondent filed their objections seeking to dismiss the Petitioner’s application.

In reply, the Petitioner filed a counter affidavit.

Upon closure of pleadings, the matter was fixed for argument and the learned Counsel for the Petitioner, the learned State Counsel for the 1^st to 4^th Respondents, the learned Counsel for the 5^th to 10^th and 13^th Respondents and the learned Counsel for the 12^th Respondent made their submissions.

Factual background The Petitioner asserts that his family hails from Ratnapura. The 5^th, 7^th, and 14^th Respondents are siblings of the Petitioner. According to the Petitioner, in the early 1970s, the ent