Yakgahahewage Newton Wickremasinghe vs Officer-in-Charge Homicide Investigations Unit, Criminal Investigation, Colombo 01 – CA PHC APN NO. 162/2012-2013

In the case between Yakgahahewage Newton Wickremasinghe (petitioner) and the Officer-in-Charge, Homicide Investigations Unit, Criminal Investigation, Colombo 01, and others (respondents), the court addressed whether the suspect, Yakgahahewage Chandana Wickremasinghe, should be granted bail after an extended period of remand and the absence of State Counsel objection. It was held that the previous High Court order refusing bail should be set aside and that bail could be granted under stringent conditions. The decision reaffirmed the principle that prolonged pretrial detention and lack of prosecutorial objection justify judicial reconsideration of bail, emphasizing judicial discretion under prevailing statutes and ensuring compliance with fair trial rights.

A.W.A.SALAM J. — The findings es