W Maheshika Madhubhashini v. W D J Welagedera & Ors – NO. 17/2014-2014

The case between W Maheshika Madhubhashini (wife of the deceased) and W D J Welagedera (Police Constable, Nittambuwa Police Station) addressed whether a Magistrate, at the conclusion of inquest proceedings into a fatal police shooting, exceeded the lawful jurisdiction by making conclusive findings on witness credibility, classification of the alleged offence, and the granting of bail, contrary to the prescribed procedural limits under the Code of Criminal Procedure. It was held that the Magistrate’s additional findings—beyond setting out the apparent cause of death—were made without jurisdiction and should be set aside in revision. The holding reaffirmed that, during inquest proceedings, the Magistrate’s role is confined to ascertaining whether there is reasonable suspicion of a crime, lea