Hewafonsekage Priyari Sriyantha alies Upul vs Hon. Attorney General – CA 125/2011-2013

In the case between Hewafonsekage Priyari Sriyantha (alias Upul) and the Hon. Attorney General (State), the court addressed whether the conviction and sentences for attempted murder and unlawful assembly imposed on the accused-appellant were just and appropriate, particularly considering the disparity in sentencing among co-accused. It was held that the harsher sentence imposed upon the appellant, in contrast to the suspended sentences granted to co-accused who pleaded guilty, was not justified solely due to the appellant’s trial in absentia. The principle reaffirmed was that proportionality and fairness in sentencing are paramount, irrespective of absconding, and similarly situated accused should not be subjected to excessive punishment. Reliance was placed on established legal standards