Mohamed Haneefa Naleem vs Republic of Sri Lanka – CA APPEAL NO. 82/2009-2013

In the case between the Republic of Sri Lanka and Mohamed Haneefa Naleem (3rd Accused-appellant), the court addressed whether the appeal filed by the 3rd accused-appellant should be permitted to be withdrawn and the appropriate date from which the sentence should be implemented. It was determined that, upon application by counsel for the 3rd accused-appellant and confirmation that the accused had not been released on bail post-conviction, the withdrawal of the appeal was to be permitted. The court held that the appeal should be dismissed accordingly and ordered the sentence to be enforced from the original date of conviction (20.02.2009). This outcome reaffirmed the principle that the term of imprisonment is to commence from the date of conviction, particularly when the accused remains in