Rajapaksha Arachchilage Ganga Semini Rajapaksha v. Officer in Charge, Police Station Pindeniya & Hon. Attorney General – CA BAL 17/2021-2021

In Rajapaksha Arachchilage Ganga Semini Rajapaksha v. The Officer in Charge, Police Station Pindeniya and another, the court considered the grant of bail to a suspect under Section 10(1) of the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of and Crime Witnesses Act No. 04 of 2015. The central issue focused on whether the circumstances of the case constituted “exceptional circumstances” sufficient to justify bail, in light of the suspect’s criminal history and pending prosecutions. After examination of evidence and statutory interpretation, it was determined that the grounds brought forward, including prolonged remand, COVID-19 challenges, and personal background, did not satisfy the statutory threshold. Emphasis was placed on the Act’s intention to protect victims and witnesses. The judgment re