The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed the petition filed by the Association of Small and Medium Exporters of Tea against the Sri Lanka Tea Board and a few other respondents.

The petition was dismissed on the basis of the time bar and many other objections.

The petition had complained about a decision of the Sri Lanka Tea Board, dated August 12, 2009, to suspend the sales of teas through private treaty and as ‘out-lets’, claiming that it was being done in order to regularise and monitor the activities of the registered manufacturers and brokers of tea. The petition said that if the decision was implemented, the petitioner Association would be compelled to purchase tea, only at the auction. They would not be able to procure their requirements by bidding in competition with larger exporters. The small and medium scale exporters, would be compelled to cease operations. Their employees will be laid off. The petitioner wanted the unreasonable decision cancelled by Court.

Faiz Mustapaha PC, appeared for the petitioner.

Sanjeewa Jayewardene, instructed by Sudath Perera Associates, appeared for the Secretary of the Association of Small and Medium Scale Tea Exporters.

The Bench comprised Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice N. G. Amaratunga and Justice Chandra Ekanayake.