Krishantha De Silva v. The Attorney General – sllr 2003 volume 1 page 162

In the case between Krishantha de Silva and the Attorney-General, the court addressed the issue of whether a conviction for murder could be sustained principally on circumstantial evidence and the failure of the accused to provide an explanation for highly incriminating circumstances. The court held that the conviction and sentence of death must be upheld, finding that the circumstantial evidence established a reasonable inference of guilt and, given the nature and detail of the evidence, required an adequate explanation from the accused. This decision reaffirmed the principle that where circumstantial evidence points conclusively to the accused’s guilt, the absence of an explanation may further strengthen the case against the accused. Reliance was placed on established case law concerning