Capt. Duleep Vethavanam and Others v. Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and Others – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 141/2014-2014

In the case between Capt. Duleep Vethavanam, Dr. J.C. Krishnaratne, and others (Petitioners) and officials of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Central Environmental Authority, Urban Development Authority, Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council, Dialog Axiata PLC, among others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether relief should be granted to the Petitioners and if costs should be awarded upon withdrawal of the application. The court held that, considering the overall nature of the application, permission to withdraw may be granted without an order for costs to the Respondents. The principle reaffirmed relates to the court’s discretion on awarding costs in circumstances of voluntary withdrawal, relying on established practice that cost orders dep