Breakthrough in expeditious release of several vehicles imported on cross border LCs

Saturday, 25 October 2025 01:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Customs and other authorities are to expedite release of several vehicles imported on cross border LCs on undertakings and guarantees given to the Court of Appeal and Sri Lanka Customs.

The matter came up earlier this week before the Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando in CA Writ 847/25, to an application recorded in court, ASG Sumathi Dharmawardena informed court and recorded in court that he will direct the Register of Customs and all other authorities to expedite the release of the vehicles and start processing the CUSDECs subject to certain guarantees and undertakings to be given to Sri Lanka Customs.

On behalf of a personal importer Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne informed and reordered in Court that his client is willing to provide a personal guarantee on the surcharge sum that is to be decided and as cars are exposed and deteriorating and the security of the vehicle of his client is a serious concern, moved court and the authorities for urgent intervention in respect to the release of the vehicles.

The Counsel recorded an undertaking in the presence of his client who was also in Court that his client unequivocally and unconditionally undertakes to submit a personal guarantee to be furnished on the sum to be stipulated by the Respondents which was to be subject to and without prejudice to his client’s rights in the case.

Further on behalf of the client, Counsel Premathiratne also undertook and recorded in court that his client will not proceed to register the vehicle until an appropriate order is made by the court or until his client agrees to pay whatever dues which is required.

In lieu of the proceedings in this matter, the Lordships of the Court of Appeal permitted the other Petitioners in the other cases also to tender required undertakings to Court and permitted them to sign the case record accordingly confirming the undertaking.

ASG Sumathi Dharmawardena informed court that a Gazette is also to be effected in respect of this subject matter and the additional surcharge on or before Friday (24 October). Most of the cases in relation to this matter were fixed for 12 November for support.

Petitioners in connected cases were represented by President’s Counsels Ikram Mohamed, Sanjeewa Jayawardene and Faizer Mustapha.

The Petitioner in the case CA Writ 847/25 was represented by Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne who appeared with Shenali Dias and Vikum Jayasinghe on the instructions of Gamindu Karunasena.

ASG Sumathi Dharmawardane, DSG Chaya Sri Nammuni and SC Rajika Aluwihare appeared for the State.