Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal has issued an interim order blocking a BOI-licensed company from removing or exporting two high-value Lincoln vehicles that are the subject of a dispute with a Canadian automotive exporter.
The Court of Appeal granted an urgent application filed by Canada-based Atlantic Auto Performance Ltd. on August 7, with Justices R. Gurusinghe and A. Premashankar issuing an interim order that remains in effect until August 19, 2026.
Atlantic Auto, which specializes in exporting American luxury vehicles internationally, had engaged the BOI-licensed Sri Lankan company to convert two 2024 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label vehicles from left-hand to right-hand drive. The vehicles, valued at approximately USD 260,000, form the centre of a financial dispute between the parties. According to Atlantic Auto's petition, the vehicles were shipped to Sri Lanka following an advance payment, with an agreement that the remaining balance would be settled before release from Colombo Port.
The Canadian company alleged that the respondent company cleared and converted the vehicles without authorization and without receiving full payment, which Atlantic Auto characterized as constituting fraud. Concerned about the imminent risk of the vehicles being transported out of Sri Lanka, Atlantic Auto's leadership travelled to the country and sought the Court of Appeal's intervention, citing restrictions that prevent lower courts from granting injunctive relief against BOI companies without a hearing.
The interim order prohibits the respondent company and its agents from removing, exporting, selling, transferring or otherwise relinquishing control of the two vehicles. The court also barred any further dismantling, modification, or disposal of parts and components. The matter will be heard further on or before August 19, with legal representation for Atlantic Auto including counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne and associates.
