“Magistrate must decide whether matter falls under that law.”

- PC Saliya Pieris

In similar vein, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris said that any Magistrate before whom a suspect is produced is required by law to apply his mind to the matter before him and decide on whether a suspect should be remanded. Whether it is under the ICCPR or any other law the Magistrate must decide whether the matter before him falls under that law. He cannot remand a person merely because the police asks him to do so,” he said.