Lakshman Ananda Wijemanne vs Officer-in-Charge, Special Crime Investigation Bureau – CA PHC 157/2016-2022

In the case between Lakshman Ananda Wijemanne (Appellant/5th Accused) and Officer-in-Charge, Special Crime Investigation Bureau, Kuliyapitiya, and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondents), the court addressed whether the appellant was lawfully and properly made an accused in criminal proceedings concerning land fraud, particularly under Sections 389 and 403 of the Penal Code. It was held that there was insufficient evidentiary basis and procedural irregularity in making the appellant an accused, as the material on record did not implicate him beyond actions undertaken as power of attorney holder, and no substantive statements supporting his culpability were recorded. The principle reaffirmed was the necessity of procedural fairness and sufficiency of material before framing charges, support