The Supreme Court on Friday issued an interim order suspending a move to acquire 5,941 acres of land in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.The Gazette, bearing No. 2430 and dated March 28, 2025, declared that lands located in the Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Mullaitivu districts would be designated as state property if ownership was not claimed by June 28, 2025.
The order came in response to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Member of Parliament M.A. Sumanthiran, challenging the legality and fairness of the government’s move.
The interim ruling was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Sampath Abeykoon, and Sampath Wijeratne.
President’s Counsel Dr. K. Kanag-Isvaran, along with President’s Counsel Viran Corea, appeared on behalf of the petitioner.