Warsha Hennedige Hashan Maduranga Soysa Vs. The Officer in Charge, Police Station, Panadura – South – CA BAL/0117/22-2022

In the case between Thenuwara Arachchige Ranjani (Petitioner) and the Attorney General (Respondent, representing the State in a narcotics prosecution involving Warsha Hennedige Hashan Maduranga Soysa), the Court of Appeal examined whether exceptional circumstances justified granting bail under section 83(2) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act No. 41 of 2022. The central issue addressed was the significance of procedural delays, notably repeated delays in filing the indictment despite established possession of a dangerous drug (Heroin, 19.09 grams as per the Government Analyst Report), in evaluating bail eligibility. It was determined that the delay and administrative inefficiencies in prosecution qualified as exceptional circumstances warranting bail. The Court reaffi