Sri Lanka, June 4 -- The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with two petitions filed seeking a ruling that then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance Minister, violated fundamental human rights by issuing liquor licenses in violation of the Excise Ordinance after the announcement of the Presidential Election in 2024.

Petitions were filed by a group including a businessman from Matale.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, and former Excise Commissioner M.J. Gunasiri were named as respondents in the petitions.

During proceedings, the Supreme Court bench ordered the Commissioner General of Excise to submit information to court regardin...