Feinstein Appeals High Court Ruling on Stake Bank Land Acquisition

Businessman Michael Feinstein has filed an appeal against a recent High Court ruling that upheld the government’s acquisition of twenty-three point four acres of land on Stake Bank Island. The decision, handed down by Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke in late January, supported the government’s claim that the acquisition was legally justified and in the public interest. Feinstein argues that the ruling is flawed, asserting that the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act does not specify a timeline for compensation, making it unconstitutional. He further contends that the government’s move was politically motivated, aimed at resolving ongoing litigation in favour of private investors rather than serving a genuine public purpose. Additionally, he claims that the acquisition should have been carried out under the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act, which governs private developments, rather than the public-oriented legislation used. In his appeal, Feinstein seeks to have key portions of the ruling overturned, legal costs awarded in his favour, and any other relief the Court of Appeal deems appropriate.