Further to the previous Writ Application, JKCG filed two further Writ Applications on 26 September 2025 and 2 October 2025 in the Court of Appeal challenging the continued detention of an additional 631 electric vehicles by Sri Lanka Customs.
These consignments included BYD ATTO 1 and BYD ATTO 2, among other models.
Being conscious of the inconvenience caused to our existing and prospective customers by the undue delay in releasing these detained vehicles, JKCG previously offered Corporate Guarantees for certain categories of vehicles and Bank Guarantees for the others, to account for the difference in additional duties, allegedly due according to Sri Lanka Customs.
Whilst this solution was initially not accepted by Sri Lanka Customs, on the basis of the further affidavits and the submissions made by Counsel on behalf of JKCG, we wish to inform that Customs agreed in Court, on 11 November 2025, to release the detained vehicles.
We reiterate that the globally accepted norm for vehicle clearance is for Customs to rely on the Manufacturer’s Certificate, while any further verification, where required, should be performed in an internationally accredited motor laboratory to ensure accuracy, credibility, and consistency.
With reference to the delay in testing of the motor vehicles in order to arrive at a sustainable and expeditious resolution to this matter, JKCG had previously submitted an Affidavit to the Court confirming that it is willing to provide the necessary technical equipment and scanning machines requested by Sri Lanka Customs to verify the motor power of the electric vehicles.
Further to this, upon the request of Customs, on 6th November 2025, JKCG made available a Vehicle Diagnostics Service (VDS) to test the motor power of the vehicles.
The VDS is a specialised diagnostic tool that connects to the vehicle through the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port to perform comprehensive checks and software verification.
However, Customs did not conduct any testing on this date. Sri Lanka Customs undertook, today, to notify Court on the next steps with regard to the testing.
JKCG understands the inconvenience this situation has caused our valued customers and we remain fully committed to supporting them through this period.
We remain deeply appreciative of their continued patience and understanding as we work towards a fair and lasting resolution.
We note the positive outcome of the decision of Customs to allow the release of the presently detained vehicles, under the agreed guarantee terms, which will allow us to fulfil our obligations to our customers.
In the meanwhile, we will continue to work towards a more sustainable resolution in engagement with the authorities.
We wish to thank all our stakeholders, and particularly our customers, for their continued trust, patience, and understanding.