Ceylinco Leasing Corporation Ltd. v. MH Harison et al. – CA PHC APN 45/2011-2011

In the case between Ceylinco Leasing Corporation Ltd. (Claimant–Absolute Owner–Petitioner) and MH Harison, Officer in Charge, Police Station Kuttigala, Baranaduge Asanka, Baranaduge Samantha Gunasiri, G. Susantha, and the Hon. Attorney General (collectively Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether a vehicle used for transporting timber in contravention of the Forest Ordinance should be subject to confiscation when an absolute owner (finance company) claims ownership but lacks registration or direct control over the vehicle. It was held that the confiscation was proper, reaffirming the principle that, under the Forest Ordinance, “owner” for purposes of confiscation refers to the party with actual control of the vehicle’s use rather than merely having financial or title ownersh