The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with three Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the demolition of Soul Beach (Pvt) Ltd., a beachside hotel in Dehiwala, carried out as part of the former government’s Yukthiya anti-narcotics operation.
The petitions, filed under Articles 12(1), 14(1)(g), and 13(1) of the Constitution, were taken up before Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Sobhitha Rajakaruna, and Sampath Wijeratne. The case was fixed for argument on January 26, 2026.
Authorities demolished the hotel on January 1, 2024, following allegations that it was linked to a prominent drug peddler based overseas.
The Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, assisted by the police, conducted the demolition, citing the hotel as an unauthorized construction within the coastal zone. (Newswire)
