The Supreme Court today granted permission to hear two petitions challenging the issuance of liquor licenses by then Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, alleging violations of fundamental human rights and breaches of the Excise Act following the announcement of last year’s presidential election.
The Court directed the current Commissioner General of Excise to submit detailed information on liquor licenses issued during the period from the date the presidential election was announced, July 26, until the election day on September 21, as well as for the corresponding period in the previous year.
A bench comprising Supreme Court Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Mahinda Samayawardena issued the order after reviewing the petitions filed by Matale-based businessman Thangavelu Dhanendra Raja.
Named as respondents in the case are former Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, former Excise Commissioner M. J. Gunasiri, among others.
President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena and Saliya Peiris, representing the petitioners, alleged that liquor licenses were unlawfully issued between July 26 and September 21, 2024, a period marked by the presidential election. They further claimed that licenses were granted to friends and political supporters, including the 19-year-old son of former Minister Shantha Bandara.
In response, Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, appearing for the Attorney General, argued that the petitions were filed after the legal deadline and accused the petitioners of withholding crucial facts from the Court. She also noted that the excise regulations cited in the petitions have since been repealed and replaced with new regulations.
The Supreme Court bench that permitted the petitions to proceed has scheduled the substantive hearing for November 19.
