Attorney-General vs M.P. Ediriweera – CA NO. 179/2012-2014

In the case of Hon. Attorney-General v. M.P. Ediriweera and Others, the court addressed the procedural issue regarding the continuation or withdrawal of an appeal initiated by the Attorney-General. It was held that, upon notification from the Deputy Solicitor General of instructions to withdraw the appeal, the application for withdrawal should be granted and the appeal dismissed. The principle reaffirmed was that an appeal can be withdrawn upon the appellant’s request and proper notification to the court. The decision rested on procedural fairness and the authority of the Attorney-General to withdraw appeals, emphasizing that once withdrawal is communicated and granted, the appeal stands dismissed.

Anil Gooneratne J. — Upon consideration of the submission by the Deputy Solicitor General