The Director General vs. Herath Pathiranalage Sunil Wickrema Abeysinghe – CA PHC/APN 67/20-2021

In the case between The Director General, The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (Complainant-Respondent) and Herath Pathiranalage Sunil Wickrema Abeysinghe, Muthugalage Jayantha Sirisena Muthugala (Accused-Appellant-Petitioner), the court addressed the issue of whether bail pending appeal should be granted to a convicted judicial officer in the absence of “exceptional circumstances,” as required under Section 333(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code and Section 20 of the Bail Act. The court held that the grounds advanced, including health risks from COVID-19, family obligations, alleged appellate delay, and nature of the offence, did not amount to “exceptional circumstances.” The ruling reaffirmed the principle that bail after conviction is not to be granted excep