Hon. The Attorney General vs Salpitikoralalage Premarathna alias Podi Aiya – CA PHC APN 120/2013-2013

In the case between Hon. The Attorney General (Respondent) and Salpitikoralalage Premarathna alias Podi Aiya (Accused-Petitioner), the court addressed whether, after the prosecution closed its case and the High Court called for the defence, the accused retained a right to apply for discharge under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and whether substantial prejudice was caused by the refusal to entertain such an application at that stage. It was held that an application under Section 200 should be made prior to the court’s decision to call for the defence, as any later application is procedurally misconceived. The decision reaffirmed that no significant prejudice results from adherence to this sequence, and the accused retains a statutory right of appeal from conviction. The court