Thilanga Sumathipala v. Inspector-General of Police and Others – sllr 2004 volume 1 page 210

Brief
In the case between Thilanga Sumathipala (accused-petitioner) and the Inspector-General of Police and others (respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the Court of Appeal has original jurisdiction under section 404 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act to grant bail, particularly concerning statutory provisions under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act and their interaction with constitutional guarantees. It was held that the Court of Appeal possesses the original jurisdiction to grant bail, even in cases arising under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, reaffirming the principle that statutory interpretation must uphold the right to liberty and ensure harmony with constitutional rights. Reliance was placed on the relevant sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, the