Janath S. Vidanage. Petitioner. Vs. Pujith Jayasundara, Inspector General of Police and 3 others – SC FR 163/2019-2022

In the case between multiple petitioners, including Janath S. Vidanage, Nagananda Kodithuwakku, and Saman Nandana Sirimanne, and respondents such as the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General, former President Maithripala Sirisena, and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Supreme Court addressed whether the immunity provided by Article 35(1) of the Constitution protects the sitting President from legal proceedings instituted before assuming office. It was determined that the constitutional protection under Article 35(1) extends to prohibit both the institution and continuation of court proceedings against a sitting President, regardless of when the alleged act or omission occurred. The holding reaffirmed the doctrine of absolute presidential immunity during tenure, based on the c