M. Sampath K. B. Wijeratne J.

Introduction

The Applicant, T.G. Perera, the landlord of the property at No. 98, Janapriya Mawatha, Panadura, submitted an application under Section 18A of the Rent Act, [No. 7 of 1972, as amended.] to the 3^rd Respondent, the Housing Commissioner of the Western Province, seeking permission to demolish the building for redevelopment. It is an undisputed fact that late T.G. Perera was the landlord while the Appellants were the tenants.

While the inquiry was ongoing, T.G. Perera passed away, and letters of administration for his estate were granted to the 1^st and 2^nd Respondents. As a result, the 1^st and 2^nd Respondents were substituted in place of late T.G. Perera. The Respondents-Petitioner-Appellants (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Appellants’) filed statement of objections to the application made by the landlord, the initial applicant.

Following the inquiry, the 3^rd Respondent made an order on 25^th April 2014, allowing the application of the 1^st and 2^nd Respondents, subject to the payment of Rs. 374,400/- as compensation to the Appellants.

The aggrieved Appellants sought a mandate in the nature of writ of certiorari from the Provincial High Court of Colom