Hewawasam Attanayake Mudalige Kamal Krishantha Vs. Hon. Attorney General – CA PHC/APN/100/16-2016

In the case between Hewawasam Attanayake Mudalige Kamal Krishantha and the Officer in Charge, Police Station, Narammala, the court addressed whether a registered vehicle owner could resist confiscation of a lorry used to transport timber without a permit by establishing both lack of knowledge and proof of all reasonable precautions, as required under the Forest Ordinance. The sequence began with the finding of guilt against the Accused, the lorry’s use for an unauthorized purpose, the resulting order of confiscation, and the registered owner’s challenge by way of revision. It was held that mere instructions to not use the vehicle for illegal purposes do not amount to “all precautions,” and extended failure to inspect or control the vehicle undermined the owner’s claim. The revision applica