T.Dammika Prasad vs Hon Attorney General – CA 173/2014-2014

In the case between T. Dammika Prasad and the Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of whether the appeal filed by the accused-appellant should be permitted to be withdrawn and the procedural consequences that follow such withdrawal. It was held that the withdrawal of the appeal was permissible upon formal request by the accused-appellant, currently residing abroad, after due communication through counsel. The appeal was accordingly dismissed, reconfirming the principle that a criminal appeal can be withdrawn at the appellant’s express instance, subject to the procedural safeguards of verifying the authenticity of such request. Reliance was placed on the absence of State objection, save for a reservation of rights for future applications before the High Court, and the proced