Molligoda Liyanaarachchilage Sarathchandra vs The Attorney General – CA NO. 15/2011-2014

In the case between Molligoda Liyanaarachchilage Sarathchandra (Accused-Appellant) and The Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the accused-appellant’s conviction for murder and the imposition of the death sentence should stand in light of the evidence of grave and sudden provocation. The findings established that the evidence did not support a conviction for murder, as the accused had assaulted his wife upon being provoked by her alleged infidelity and related rumors. It was determined that the circumstances met the criteria for culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 297 of the Penal Code. The original sentence of death was set aside and substituted with 18 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine. The court relied on the Penal Code and relevant judici