M.D. Themiadasa vs Saman Jayasinghe, Commissioner General of Excise and others and others – CA WRT 0052/24-2025

The case between M.D. Themiadasa and the Commissioner General of Excise addressed the issue of the issuance of an F.L.4 liquor licence despite a subsequent Presidential directive. The court held that a legitimate expectation to receive the licence had accrued prior to the directive, and a subsequent policy change could not defeat this right. This decision reaffirmed the principle that vested rights and legitimate expectations, once established, are protected against retrospective policy changes, emphasizing the importance of administrative fairness and adherence to established procedures.

K. M. G. H. KULATUNGA, J. – The judgment noted that the petitioner’s F.L.4 licence application was submitted in September 2023, with recommendations granted by October 2023. Despite inquiries and a for