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The Court of Appeal was today (Oct. 16) informed that vehicles detained for being imported from countries other than their country of manufacture, under Letters of Credit (LCs) opened in Sri Lanka, may be released subject to specified conditions.

Around 15 FR petitions filed by vehicle importers seeking the release of vehicles detained by Sri Lanka Customs were taken up before the Court of Appeal today and 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.

He added that once the additional fees payable to Sri Lanka Customs are settled, permission would be granted to register the vehicles.

Representing a petitioner, President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha, informed the court that vehicles imported in this manner have previously been released by Sri Lanka Customs and questioned the rationale behind the current approach. He also said he would request the court to summon a list of owners of the vehicles previously released.

Mustapha further argued 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 Oct. 22nd to decide on the possibility of a settlement.