Herath Mudiyanselage Dilruk Sanjeewa v. The Officer-In-Charge, Police Narcotic Bureau, Colombo 01 and The Hon. Attorney General – CA PHC APN 45/2016-2016

In the case between Herath Mudiyanselage Dilruk Sanjeewa (petitioner/accused) and The Officer-In-Charge, Police Narcotic Bureau, Colombo 01 (complainant-respondent) and The Hon. Attorney General (respondent-respondent), the court addressed whether the accused was entitled to bail pending trial for alleged trafficking and possession of heroin under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. The primary consideration was whether “exceptional circumstances” were demonstrated to justify bail, as mandated by law for such offences, and whether the High Court’s refusal of bail was legally valid. It was held that prolonged pre-trial detention and family hardship do not constitute “exceptional circumstances” sufficient to grant bail under the relevant statutory provisions. The revision appli