Orient Financial Services Corporation Ltd. v. Range Forest Officer Department of Forest Conservation – CA PHC APN 26/2011-2011

In the case between Orient Financial Services Corporation Ltd. (Petitioner) and the Range Forest Officer, Department of Forest Conservation – Ampara, and the Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether a vehicle used for transporting timber without a permit should be confiscated where the absolute (finance company) owner claimed lack of knowledge and participation in the offence. The court held that the term “owner” under the Forest Ordinance refers not to the absolute or finance company owner, but to the person in real control of the vehicle (the registered owner), reaffirming the principle that statutory confiscation provisions are directed at those with effective dominion over the vehicle at the time of the offence. This decision relied on statutory interpre