Rizwan Uwais Vs Officer In-Charge Police Station, Kegalle and others – CA BAIL/0130/23-2023

In the case between the Petitioner (represented by Attorney-at-Law M.M. Zuhair, PC with Rizwan Uwais) and various state authorities including the Police and the Attorney General, the court addressed whether the Court of Appeal possesses original jurisdiction to grant bail under Article 138(2) of the Constitution and Section 15B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Act No. 12 of 2022, particularly where an indictment has been served but a formal trial has not commenced. It was determined that the Court of Appeal retains such jurisdiction if the trial has not begun within twelve months of arrest, irrespective of the indictment. This interpretation hinged on the statutory meaning of “trial,” legislative intent, and constitutional provisions, establishing that the