L. Nimal alias Chootiya vs The Attorney General – CA 233/2007-2013

In the case between L. Nimal alias Chootiya (Accused-Appellant) and The Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the conviction and death sentence imposed on the accused-appellant for the murder of Gamcharige Dharmadasa alias Nandapala should be upheld. It was held that the conviction and sentence were justified, based on the credibility of the dying declaration made by the deceased and the reliability of the prosecution’s evidence, particularly the prompt and consistent testimony of the deceased’s wife and the recovery of the murder weapon linked to the accused-appellant. The principle reaffirmed was that unchallenged and credible witness testimony, including dying declarations, may be accepted as proof of fact, especially where the defense does not effectiv