Bulathsinghalage Chamali Vs. Officer-in -Charge Offences Branch, Police Station, Panadura and others – CA TRANSFER APPLICATION NO: 291/2012-2012

The case between Bulathsinghalage Chamali (petitioner) and the Officer-in-Charge, Offences Branch, Police Station, Panadura, and the Hon. Attorney General (respondents), addressed whether the petitioner could obtain a fair trial in the Magistrate’s Court of Panadura due to alleged bias by the Magistrate stemming from previous actions in a related case. It was held that allowing the trial to proceed in Panadura would risk compromising fairness and impartiality. The principle was reaffirmed that a judicial forum must ensure impartiality and the appearance of justice, consistent with established procedural fairness and natural justice doctrines. The decision relied upon the absence of opposition from the State and the procedural right to a fair hearing, leading to the transfer of the case, em