D.M. Chandrasiri vs Hon. Attorney General – CA PHC APN NO. 43/2014-2014

In the case between D.M. Chandrasiri (Accused-Petitioner) and the Hon. Attorney General (Complainant-Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the cancellation of the accused-petitioner’s driving license, imposed in addition to a suspended sentence and a compensation order following a guilty plea, should be upheld or varied. It was held that permanent cancellation of the license was unduly harsh considering the mitigating circumstances, and the cancellation should instead be limited to a term of 10 years from the date of the original sentence. The principle reaffirmed was that sentencing should be proportionate, factoring in personal and social circumstances of the offender. Reliance was placed on considerations of proportionality and individualized justice, clarifying the cour