Legal action has been initiated against Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Hajj Committee, with a statutorily recognised association of tour operators challenging the handling of arrangements for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.
The All Ceylon Hajj Tour Operators Association (ACHTOA) has filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal, alleging that the committee has deviated from Hajj Guidelines approved by the Supreme Court. The petition registered as CA/Writ 007/2026, seeks judicial intervention over what the association describes as unlawful procedural changes.
ACHTOA alleges that the Hajj committee, altered operator evaluation criteria and quota allocation methods, and introduced controversial procedures for the 2026 Hajj.
Among the key concerns raised is a mandatory escrow scheme requiring pilgrims to deposit an advance of Rs. 750,000. The association claims the arrangement functions as a profit-sharing model in which pilgrims’ funds remain idle while interest is attributed to them, and that a financing cost of about Rs. 26.6 million linked to advance funding has been imposed on tour operators.
The writ also alleges misuse of BESSA visas, irregular licensing of operators previously barred for misconduct, and the adoption of a market-based quota allocation system, which ACHTOA argues is incompatible with the fixed quota regime imposed by Saudi Arabian authorities.
The application seeks several reliefs, including strict adherence to the existing Hajj Guidelines and amendments to the Hajj Act to address what it describes as regulatory deficiencies.
Filed on behalf of ACHTOA by its president, M.S.H. Mohamed, through Attorney-at-Law Amila Kumara with guidance from President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, the case names 103 respondents. These include the Director of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, members of the Hajj Committee, and the minister and deputy minister in charge.
Hearings on leave to proceed have been scheduled for Jan. 21, 29 and 30. (Newswire)