Osmond Chandrapala Manawadu vs. D. G. M. V. Hapuarachchi and others – 159/2014-2022

In the case between Osmond Chandrapala Manawadu (petitioner) and officials of the Excise Department of Sri Lanka, the Divisional Secretary, the Director General of the Presidential Investigation Unit, Hettigamage Kusumlatha, and the Attorney General (respondents), the court addressed whether the cancellation of the petitioner’s excise license was lawful under the Excise Ordinance and principles of natural justice. It was held that the cancellation was procedurally improper, as no independent inquiry was conducted by the competent authority, and relief by way of certiorari was granted to quash the cancellation. However, mandamus compelling automatic re-issuance was refused. The decision reaffirmed the requirement for compliance with both statutory process and fairness before depriving a lic