Boozing in public not an offence: Magistrate

2 July 2014 12:48 pm - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pugoda Magistrate and Additional District Judge Ms. Indika Kalingawansa told courts today that people had the freedom to consume liquor in public.

She said they could not be arrested when they go about after having drinks, but could be arrested only if they misbehaved and caused a nuisance to the public. In such instances the police have the right to apprehend them, she said.

These views were expressed by the magistrate while acquitting three suspects who were produced in courts for consuming liquor in a public place.

The prosecution was led by SI Lal Ranjith, Sergeant Chandrapala of the Pugoda police. (Upali Ranaweera)

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Comments - 33

Rubert Vanderkoon Thursday, 03 July 2014 08:40 AM

The guys were lucky when in remand custody, they were not taken to show where the weapons are hidden!

xpert Wednesday, 02 July 2014 03:44 PM

GREAT !
MINISSU PUBLIC PLACE WALA BIUWAMA MOKADA WENNE.

Renu Wednesday, 02 July 2014 03:51 PM

Police does not seem to know the law..

Boozer Thursday, 03 July 2014 10:09 AM

Noney magey sudhu noney. Mata dhen bus nevathum poley adiyak gaanda puluwan. via DM iPad app

kumar Thursday, 03 July 2014 06:44 AM

Utter stupid comment. The judge didn't say anything about driving. Drunk and drive is an offense under traffic law in any country.

Mihanda Thursday, 03 July 2014 06:57 AM

Thitha Mathata ...
keep on voting for the hooligans.

shirley Thursday, 03 July 2014 07:44 AM

correction - attack public property after booze.

Rubert Vanderkoon Thursday, 03 July 2014 08:38 AM

Drinking in or anything done is secret is more like Sharia law.

Lanka Putra Thursday, 03 July 2014 08:40 AM

eeka thamay..... oya nanasaarath bonne.... officially drinking allowed Buddhist society forming against pansil pada.

Turmeric piece. Wednesday, 02 July 2014 03:01 PM

Good news for women who are forced to prepare bites by their husband.

srinath.gunaratne Thursday, 03 July 2014 08:48 AM

We used to go and have a drink in a nice picnik area without troubling anybody, What is the harm in it? Live and let live.
I congratulate the lawyer who fought this case successfully for police harassment

Buddhika Lokubandara Thursday, 03 July 2014 09:35 AM

Dhammadweepa!!!!

zeylanicus Thursday, 03 July 2014 09:38 AM

This is not about driving. Ready the news again and try to understand.

Waz Thursday, 03 July 2014 09:54 AM

Ethakota, Meika Sinhala Boudha Ratak nedthe?

shiva Thursday, 03 July 2014 03:51 PM

after drinking they cause irritable smell to general public ...... which troubles us..... via DM Android App

NUWAN PERERA Thursday, 03 July 2014 02:27 PM

A step towards being the wonder of Asia, Oh you were caught drink driving

Roshan Friday, 04 July 2014 10:01 AM

That means they can drink and drive as far as they don't meet with any accident.

Suq Madique Wednesday, 02 July 2014 12:59 PM

But our religious bigots don't see that way. Drinking in secret is more their style.

Concerned Wednesday, 02 July 2014 02:25 PM

Was Kosthapal pugngnasoma also there?

N. Bandara Wednesday, 02 July 2014 02:20 PM

Good Judgement. We must not allow the law to be twisted.

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 02 July 2014 02:18 PM

Madam Indika Kalingawansa Thanks.... thanks a million.... SriLanka will prosper with this Golden rule.

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 02 July 2014 02:14 PM

Good news for boozers, anywhere ... anytime..... you could booze, but don't create trouble.

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 02 July 2014 02:11 PM

This sounds like, Have the night car races in Kandy, no problem - but last time. (Next year who knows the person who said will alive or not)

Senarath Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:52 PM

This will be a push to consume more and more liqor even in public. Matha thitha?

Heisenberg Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:41 PM

Thank god, Judicial system doing something right!

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:29 PM

May be Additional District Judge Ms. Indika Kalingawansa is owning Liquor shops in her area. No Problem Madam... go a head. You have set an Extra-example for drunkards.

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:26 PM

What has happened to SriLankan Judiciary???? Call the Health Minister to answer this question. Let us listen to his comments.

Amila Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:23 PM

Good to hear that madam

SB Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:22 PM

That's just thithata matha

ANTON Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:17 PM

WELL PUT MADAM,
MADAMGE KATEY RATHTHARAN DAANDA HITHENAWA.

Mutu Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:04 PM

Consumption of liquor should be banned in public places and in full view of public, especially growing up children. It sets a bad example. Whatever happened to "Mathata Thitha"?

Ken Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:01 PM

boozing in public is an offence but attacking public properties is not an offence in the wonder os Asia.

MufaHussain Wednesday, 02 July 2014 01:01 PM

So now you say we can DRINK and DRIVE. And police can't arrest us unless we meet with an accident?
Great news for colombo Y generation.

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Boozing in public not an offence: Magistrate

Comments - 33

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