U A Nissanka Managing Director Mint Products Pvt Limited vs Chulananda Perera Director General of Customs – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO: 377/2016-2022

In the case between U A Nissanka, Managing Director of Mint Products Pvt Limited (petitioner), and Chulananda Perera, Director General of Customs, along with other customs officials and the Attorney General (respondents), the court addressed whether the Customs Department’s decision to conduct an inquiry—without providing detailed allegations or evidence—violated the petitioner’s right to a fair trial, and whether the petitioner was entitled to writs of certiorari and mandamus in relation to customs procedure and revenue recovery. It was held that inquiries under Section 8 of the Customs Ordinance are preliminary and fact-finding in nature, not decisions affecting substantive rights, thus not warranting judicial intervention through certiorari at that stage. Petitions for mandamus compelli