Walhenage Hansi Madushani vs. The Attorney General, et al. – CA PHC APN 0029/23-2023

In the case between Walhenage Hansi Madushani (petitioner) and The Attorney General, Officer-in-Charge of Organized Crime Prevention Division, and Shamsuddin Mohammad Junaideen (respondents), the court addressed whether the High Court of Panadura erred by refusing bail to the 1st accused under outdated legal standards of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It was held that the denial of bail was improper given the amended legal framework introduced by Amendment Act No. 41 of 2022, which permits bail where the pure quantity of heroin is less than 10 grams and the accused has been in custody for over 12 months. The decision reaffirmed the principle that current legislative amendments must guide judicial discretion regarding bail eligibility, emphasizing the importance of statut