🚨 Court Red Flags Customs' Parliament Remarks in Vehicle Import Case

• The Issue: The Court of Appeal has raised serious concerns that a senior Sri Lanka Customs official may have misled the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) by claiming settlement talks were underway regarding the detention of over 1,000 imported vehicles at the Colombo Port. • The Contradiction: In a CoPF meeting on June 25, Customs stated a settlement was being discussed. However, the Attorney General explicitly informed the Court that no settlement discussions were taking place and the matter must proceed to judicial determination. • Legal Implications: The three-judge bench noted that if the statements made to Parliament are found to be untrue, they could amount to _contempt of court_. The Attorney General has been directed to obtain an immediate clarification from Customs by July 23. • The Core Dispute: Petitioners are challenging the detention of vehicle imports financed via cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs). Counsel argued that Customs' regulations on cross-border LCs lack uniform legal basis, pointing out inconsistencies in how import documents and vehicle valuations are being handled. • Next Steps: Oral submissions have concluded. All parties must file written submissions ahead of the final judgment fixed for September 18.