Bolandahewa Disna Priyanthie vs. Officer-in-charge, Police Station, Ahungalla – CA PHC/76/2017-2022

In the case between the Officer-in-charge, Police Station, Ahungalla (with associated law enforcement bodies) and Siriwardena Anil De Silva and Bolandahewa Disna Priyanthie (registered vehicle owner), the court addressed the issue of whether the confiscation of vehicle no. 43-1188 under the Forest Conservation Ordinance was legally justified. The court held that the confiscation was proper, finding that the appellant, as the vehicle’s registered owner, failed to prove that all precautionary measures were taken to prevent the vehicle from being used in illegal activities as required by Section 40 of the Act. The legal reasoning emphasized that statutory provisions grant no authority to Magistrates to hold a fresh inquiry after final orders, and the burden on the owner to establish sufficien