Sri Lanka Customs today (16) informed the Court of Appeal that vehicles currently held by the department due to importation from countries other than those specified in the letters of credit may be released under certain conditions.
Around 15 fundamental rights petitions filed by vehicle importers seeking orders for the release of these vehicles were taken up today before the Court of Appeal.
The petitions were heard before a bench comprising Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
Appearing on behalf of Sri Lanka Customs, Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena informed the court that the vehicles in question could be released upon submission of either a corporate or personal bond by the importers.
The Additional Solicitor General further stated that once the additional fees payable to Sri Lanka Customs are settled, permission would be granted to register the vehicles.
Representing one group of petitioners, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha argued that vehicles imported in this manner had previously been released by Sri Lanka Customs, and questioned the basis on which the department was now acting differently.
He also requested the court to summon a list of previously released vehicles under similar circumstances.
President’s Counsel Musthapha further contended that if the petitioners succeed in this case, the 35% surcharge currently imposed on importers should be refundable.
Representing another group of petitioners, President’s Counsels Ikram Mohamed and Sanjeeva Jayawardena requested the court to schedule a future date to explore the possibility of reaching a settlement in the case.
Accordingly, the Court of Appeal ordered the petitions to be taken up again on the 22nd of October to decide on the possibility of a settlement. (Newswire)