Daladagama Dhammasiddi Thero vs Pujith Jayasundara – C A WRIT APPLICATION NO. 09/2018-2018

In the case between Daladagama Dhammasiddi Thero, Chief Incumbent of Sri Naagala Rajamaha Viharaya, Polpithigama (Petitioner), and respondents including Pujith Jayasundara, Inspector General of Police, and others, the court addressed whether a writ of prohibition could restrain law enforcement and the Attorney General from arresting the Petitioner in relation to alleged offences under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance. It was determined that the Petitioner’s apprehension of arrest was based on hearsay and unsubstantiated reports, which were insufficient grounds for invoking the court’s writ jurisdiction under Article 140 of the Constitution. The principle reaffirmed was that such extraordinary jurisdiction is only exercisable upon a substantial legal basis, and the mere anticipation of legal a