Around 15 fundamental rights petitions filed by vehicle importers seeking an order to release the vehicles detained by Sri Lanka Customs due to their importation from a country other than the country of manufacture using letters of credit opened in this country were taken up before the Court of Appeal today.
Sri Lanka Customs, which presented evidence before the Court of Appeal, stated that the vehicles can be released subject to conditions.
The petitions were taken up before a bench of the Court of Appeal comprising Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, the Chairman of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
At that time, Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, appearing for Sri Lanka Customs, informed the court that the vehicles currently detained by Sri Lanka Customs, which are the subject of these lawsuits, can be released by the importers after submitting a company guarantee or a personal guarantee.
In addition, the Additional Solicitor General said that permission will be granted to register the relevant vehicles after paying the additional fees payable to Sri Lanka Customs.
President’s Counsel Faizer Musthapha, appearing for a petitioner, informed the court that vehicles imported in this way have been released by Sri Lanka Customs in the past and questioned how Customs would act in this manner.
The President’s Counsel stated that he would request the court to summon a list of the vehicles so released.
President’s Counsel Faizer Musthapha argued that the 35 percent surcharge that importers must pay when redeeming these vehicles should be recoverable if the petitioners are successful in this case.