Manodaratne Vijitha Prassana de Silva vs H. G. Sumanasinghe et al. – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 157/2019-2022

In the case between Manodaratne Vijitha Prassana de Silva (Petitioner) and H. G. Sumanasinghe, Commissioner General of Excise, W.M.M.B. Wansuriya, Deputy Commissioner General of Excise (Revenue), and A.M. Wickremarachchi, Divisional Secretary, Meda-Dumbara, Teldeniya (Respondents), the court addressed the lawfulness of administrative actions concerning the renewal of a liquor license. The issues examined included entitlement to a writ of Certiorari to quash a letter issued by the third Respondent, right to writs of Mandamus for renewal of a lapsed liquor license, and adherence to licensing regulations, including public opposition, proximity to sensitive establishments, and procedural fairness. It was held that the letter in question did not constitute a formal decision, no automatic entitl