The Supreme Court today suspended the order made by the Court of Appeal to register United Travel’s as a Hajj operator.
The three judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Murdu Fernando suspended the order of the court of appeal including the order to reallocate quotas including United Travel’s as a Hajj service provider.
The decision was made following an appeal filed by the Hajj committee against the court of appeal order .
On Friday 26th of April 2024 the Court of Appeal clarified that the order made by it didn’t prevent the Hajj from continuing . This was the after the Attorney General filed a motion seeking clarification on the order .
The Court of Appeal said that the order dated 9th of April did not in anyway prevent the Hajj from continuing. United Travels also told the Court of Appeal that there was no stopping of the Hajj pilgrimage that was sought. They told court that there was absolutely no intention of the Petitioner to prevent the Hajj from continuing and that it was parties with vested interests who were stating this .
The Supreme Court today heard all arguments and suspended the orders made by the Court of Appeal . The orders include the suspension on the allocation of quotas .
United Travels also informed court that in light of the order the contempt of court applications in the court of appeal will be withdrawn.
Earlier United Travels filed a petition before the court of appeal alleging that the decision to suspend the operstor for two years was arbitrary and made in bad faith . The company sought to be allocated a quota for Hajj travel this year .
The court of appeal in order dated 9th of April granted registration to Company and also ordered the suspension of the previous allocation of quotas made without United Travel’s. Thereafter United Travels maintained that they should be allocated a quota according to the order .
Presidents Counsel Saliya Peiris with Hejaaz Hizbullah appeared for the Hajj Committee. Presidents Counsel Viraj Dayarathne appeared for the Minister and the Director of Muslim cultural affairs. Counsel Shaheeda Barrie with Hafeel Farisz appeared for United Travels
