Osmond Chandrapala Manawadu v. D. G. M. V. Hapuarachchi – CA 91/2014-2014

In the case between Osmond Chandrapala Manawadu (petitioner) and D G M V Hapuarachchi, Commissioner General of Excise, Excise Department of Sri Lanka, and others (respondents), the court addressed the issue of the cancellation of an excise permit and the respondent’s decision being challenged through an application for a Writ of Certiorari. It was determined that, following a request from the petitioner’s counsel to withdraw the application—while reserving the right to pursue a related proceeding (CA 159/14)—the withdrawal would be permitted. The writ application was dismissed without costs. This outcome reaffirmed the principle that, upon voluntary withdrawal by the applicant, a court may choose to dismiss the action without an assessment of merits or costs, emphasizing procedural fairnes