Thelasinghe Mudiyanselage Chandrawathi Thelasinghe v. Hon. Attorney General – CA PHC APN 55/2017-2017

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (represented by the Hon. Attorney General) and Thelasinghe Mudiyanselage Chandrawathi Thelasinghe (Accused-Appellant-Petitioner), the court addressed whether the High Court of Kuliyapitiya erred by refusing bail to the petitioner after conviction and sentencing. It was held that bail pending appeal may be granted only in exceptional circumstances, particularly where sentences exceed seven years, reaffirming the principle that post-conviction bail is sparingly exercised unless strict requirements are met. Reliance was placed on established case law and statutory standards, highlighting that mere health issues, absent demonstrable inability to manage such conditions in prison, do not suffice to establish exceptional circumsta