The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with 02 petitions seeking a ruling that former President and then-Finance Minister – Ranil Wickremesinghe had violated fundamental rights by issuing liquor licenses in breach of the Excise Ordinance following the announcement of the 2024 Presidential Election.
The petitions, filed by Matale-based businessman Thangavelu Dhanendra Raja and others, allege that liquor licenses were issued unlawfully between July 26 (when the election was announced) and September 21 (the date of the election), including one granted to the 19-year-old son of former Minister Shantha Bandara.
The petitioners claim these licenses were given to political allies for electoral gain.
The Supreme Court bench – comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Mahinda Samayawardena – ordered the current Commissioner General of Excise to submit details of all liquor licenses issued during the relevant period and in previous years.
Respondents include several persons including Ranil Wickremesinghe, Finance Secretary – Mahinda Siriwardena and former Excise Commissioner M.J. Gunasiri.
President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena and Saliya Peiris, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the issuance of licenses was politically motivated.
They also noted that the Sri Lanka Liquor Licensees’ Association had also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission.
However, Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, representing the Attorney General, argued that the petitions were filed outside the legal time frame and that the petitioners had withheld material facts.
She also stated that the excise regulations in question had since been repealed.
The court scheduled the next hearing for Nov. 19.
