Jayaratne v. Director General, Customs Department And Others – sllr 2005 volume 3 page 102

In the case between Jayaratne (Plaintiff) and Director General, Customs Department and others (Defendants), the court addressed the legality of a seizure notice issued under section 135 of the Customs Ordinance following the transfer of a diesel Mitsubishi Pajero jeep contrary to the terms of the relevant import licence. It was held that the seizure notice, based on the breach of the licence’s five-year non-transfer condition, was not a final determination of the petitioner’s rights and was authorized under section 50(a) of the Customs Ordinance. The remedies of certiorari, mandamus, and prohibition were denied. The decision underscores the principle that customs authorities have statutory power to act upon breaches of import licence conditions prior to final adjudication, relying on the C