Ramyalatha vs. Officer-in-Charge, Police Station, Athurugiriya – CA BAL/206/23-2023

In the case between Palkada Vidanalage Sunanda Ramyalatha (petitioner for bail on behalf of her daughter) and The Officer-in-Charge, Athurugiriya Police Station; The Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department and others, the court addressed the issue of bail eligibility for a suspect under section 83(2) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance as amended by Act No. 41 of 2022. The case examined whether exceptional circumstances justified the grant of bail when faced with charges of possession and trafficking of heroin. The findings established that the specific needs of the suspect’s child, including Autism and absence of other caretakers, constituted exceptional circumstances. Detailed consideration was also given to procedural concerns, such as inconsistencies in the poli