Kodituwakkugedera Udaya Shri Jayampathy vs. The Officer-in-Charge, Police Station Menikhinna – CA PHC 0147/2020-2024

In the case between Appellant Kodituwakkugedera Udaya Shri Jayampathy (registered vehicle owner) and Respondents including the Officer-in-Charge of Menikhinna Police Station and the Attorney General’s Department, the central issue addressed was whether the appellant, as the vehicle owner, had satisfactorily established that the transport of timber without a permit occurred without his knowledge and that he had taken all necessary precautions to prevent the commission of such an offence. The court held that the appellant did not produce adequate and cogent evidence to prove these requisites, and therefore, the confiscation of the vehicle was justified. The principle reaffirmed is that an owner seeking relief from confiscation proceedings under the Forest Ordinance must demonstrate both igno