SriLanka, Sept. 21 -- The Supreme Court has dismissed a long-running claim by an Indian national seeking the return of 50 slabs of gold seized at the Bandaranaike International Airport in 1991, holding that transit passengers are also subject to the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka Customs.

The Supreme Court held the view that a transit passenger carrying a restricted or prohibited item falls outside the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka Customs is contrary to the provisions of the Exchange Control Act and the Customs Ordinance.

The judgment was delivered by Justice Arjuna Obeyesekere, with Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena agreeing with him. The Court made the determination while allowing an appeal filed by the ...