Lakshman Ananda Wijemanne v. Officer-in-Charge – CA PHC 143/2016-2022

In the case between Lakshman Ananda Wijemanne (Appellant) and the Officer-in-Charge, Special Crime Investigation Bureau, Kuliyapitiya, and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed whether sufficient grounds existed to add the appellant as an accused in criminal proceedings without a proper investigation or his statement being recorded. It was determined that the appellant’s inclusion was unsupported by substantive evidence, as only peripheral references from the land’s watcher and the notary were relied upon. The findings established that the required procedures under criminal law, emphasizing fair and competent investigation before charging an individual, were not followed. Citing established legal principles, the decision underscored the necessity for adequate inquiry