Ranjitha Traders (Private) Limited vs. Hon. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa et al. – CA WRIT/338/2021-2023

In the case between Ranjitha Traders (Private) Limited and P. Kisho Kumar (Petitioners) and various government officials including Hon. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa and Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe (Respondents), the court addressed the validity of the sugar import control regulation (‘X4’) and the procedure for its promulgation. The court held that the Regulations were validly enacted and had duly come into operation, reaffirming the principle that statutory requirements regarding the publication and operation of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act must be interpreted according to legislative intent and procedural compliance. This decision relied on Sections 20(1), 20(3), and 20(4) of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, emphasizing that Ministerial discretion in determining