Thondilage Achintha Srimal vs. The Officer in Charge Police Station Lunugamwehera – CA BAIL 55/2022-2022

In the case between Lakshan Gunasekara (petitioner/suspect) and the Officer in Charge, Lunugamwehera Police Station, and the Attorney General’s Department (respondents/State), the court addressed the issue of bail for a suspect facing multiple pending cases and previous similar convictions under the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act. It was determined that the prolonged remand period (approximately 11 months) while investigations remained incomplete constituted “exceptional circumstances” sufficient to justify the granting of bail. The principles underpinning the grant of bail in such cases were reaffirmed, emphasizing that “exceptional circumstances” must be assessed according to case-specific facts, with undue investigative delay serving as a valid basis