Amaradasa Hiththatiyage v. Commissioner of Excise et al – CA WRIT 113/2013-2013

In the case between Amaradasa Hiththatiyage (sole proprietor, Dharshana Restaurant, Matara) and the Commissioner of Excise with associated Excise officials, the court addressed the lawfulness of the Excise authorities’ cancellation of the petitioner’s liquor license, specifically whether such cancellation required a formal inquiry and whether the application was for a new license or the renewal of an existing one. The court held that the application constituted a fresh request for a new license, not a renewal, and that the petitioner failed to meet statutory distance requirements for liquor establishments from schools and temples, confirmed by official surveys and public objections. It was further determined that the petitioner misrepresented material facts, failing to disclose essential i