J.A. Anura vs G.M. Chandrakumaru Manawadu Mandiya & others – CA PHC 62/2020-2025

In the case between J.A. Anura, Public Health Inspector, and G.M. Chandrakumaru Manawadu Mandiya (Manager, Nestle Lanka Ltd.) alongside various directors of Nestlé Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., the court addressed whether additional accused (the company’s directors) could be prosecuted under the Food Act despite being added to the proceedings after the statutory time limit established by Section 20(1)(b) of the Food Act. It was held that including the directors as additional accused through an amended plaint filed beyond the three-month time limitation was not permissible. This reaffirmed the principle that statutory time bars must be strictly observed in criminal prosecutions related to food safety, and the legislative intent regarding time limits under the Food Act must be upheld. The court relied o