Sri Lanka, Sept. 19 -- A writ petition was filed before the Court of Appeal challenging the decision of the Sri Lanka Customs to forfeit the MV Stella Beauty, a Panama-flagged cargo vessel carrying a consignment of six million kilograms of iodised white granular salt imported from India.

According to the petition, Customs seized both the vessel and its cargo, valued at approximately Rs. 495 million, on the grounds that the Bill of Lading contained false or inaccurate information.

Two petitioners, including the Master of the vessel, have sought an order directing the Sri Lanka Customs to release the ship, which was forfeited by an order dated September 2, 2025. The case has been fixed for support on September 22.

The petitioners contend...