Court of Appeal suspends ban on Ceylon Motor Sports Club

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order suspending the decision taken to ban the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC) as a club and formally issued notice on the respondents’ returnable on 3 December.

The Court of Appeal bench comprised Justice N. Bandula Karunarathna and Justice B. Sasi Mahendran.

CMSC is one of the oldest motor sports clubs in Sri Lanka and is the member on behalf of Sri Lanka recognised by the world governing body of Motor Sports for over 60 years, FIA.

On 11 July the Director General of Sports banned CMSC on such relationship with FIA and on the basis that such violates a 2017 Gazette. CMSC also facilitates the issuing of FIA licences to top Sri Lankan drivers such as Dilantha Malagamuwa, Ashan Silva and Yevan David in order to compete in global meets.

On behalf of CMSC, the President and Secretary of the Club preferred a petition on 4 August naming the Director General of Sports, the Election Committee and Minister of Sports challenging the decision to ban them and sought an interim order suspending such decision and seeking a direction to conduct all local and international meets.

The matter was supported before the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice N. Bandula Karunarathna and Justice B. Sasi Mahendran on 13 September wherein the Court was duly informed of the fact that CMSC was banned under a now rescinded a 2017 Gazette and the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) had already sought affiliation with the FIA and such attempt had been declined by the FIA. It was further informed to Court that in the months of June and July 2024 CMSC had further received continuous written communication recognising its right to vote at the scheduled SLAS elections and its validity as a club until the sudden ban conveyed by the letter dated 11 July.

Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne Attorney-at-Law appeared with Attorney-at-Laws Shenali Dias and Ishara Jayakodiarachchilage instructed by Gamindu Karunasena for the petitioners. On behalf of the respondents Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe appeared.