SENANAYAKE v. DON JOHN.

P. C., Negombo, 27,626.

Insult-Penal Code, s. 484.

Per Lawrie, J.-Section 484 of the Penal Code limits the character of the offence thereby enacted to such insults as are provocations, and only to such provocations as are intended to cause the person provoked to break the public peace or to commit an offence, or which the insulter or provoker knew would be likely to cause the person provoked to break the public peace.

The section is intended to prevent breaches of the peace by preventing what is likely to cause them,

THIS was a prosecution under section 484 of the Penal Code. It appeared that for the purpose of recovering the rates due to the Local Board of Minuwangoda, the Mudaliyar of the District. who was also the Chairman of the Board, attended by the Vidane Arachchi, went to the house of one Punchappuhamy, when the accused (his son) used abusive language and rushed towards the Chairman saying, " no taxes would be paid." The Vidane Arachchi intercepted his progress, when he pushed him against a wall, which caused him to bleed in the face. Both the officers felt insulted, and so provoked that they had a mind to