Sudirikku Hennadigodage Piyaseeli v. Officer in Charge of Colombo Crime Division and Hon. Attorney General – CPA 11/2022-2022

In the case between Sudirikku Hennadigodage Piyaseeli and the Officer in Charge (Colombo Crime Division), Hon. Attorney General, and Suspect Sabdeen Mohammed Suber, the court addressed the legality of continued remand and the grant of bail under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Act. The central issue concerned whether the suspect should be released on bail in light of prolonged detention without indictment, questions regarding the sufficiency of evidence, and the standard for exceptional circumstances warranting bail. It was held that the prolonged remand period and lack of meaningful prosecutorial progress infringed upon the suspect’s right to personal liberty. The revision application was allowed, the High Court’s bail refusal was set aside, and