[Full Bench, ]

1914 Present: Wood Renton A. C. J., Pereira J., and De Sampayo A. J.

AMERASEKERA v. LEBBE.

Excise Ordinance (No. 8 of 1912), ss. 16 and 55-Medical practitioner- Is vedarala a medical practitioner -Possession or sale of " lagium "-Ganja.

Per Wood Renton A. C. J. and Pereira J. (dissentiente De Sampayo A. J. )-A vedarala is not a medical practitioner within the meaning of that term as used in section 65 of the Excise Ordinance (No. 8 of 1912).

The possession or sale of lagium-an article containing ganja- by a vedarala is not protected under section 55 of the Ordinance.

Per Full Court. -Notification No. 26 published in the Gazette of February 18, 1914, does not take away the privilege given to medical practitioners under section 55.

THIS was an appeal against an acquittal. The facts are set out in the judgment of Wood Renton A. C. J.

van Langenberg, K. C., S. -G. (with him Mahadeva, C. C ), for the appellant. -The notification No. 26 published in the Gazette of February 13, 1914, prohibits absolutely the possession of any article containing ganja.

The notification refers to all persons. Medical pr