Palliyaguruge Chaminda Sunil Shantha vs The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – CA CASE NO.73/2012-2015

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Palliyaguruge Chaminda Sunil Shantha, the court addressed the legality and sufficiency of the conviction for criminal trespass, attempted murder, and murder, particularly in the context of a trial conducted in absentia and the reliability of identification and witness evidence. It was held that the conviction and sentence were not sustainable due to insufficient probative and corroborative evidence linking the accused to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The decision reaffirmed the principle that convictions, especially those resulting from trials held in absentia, must be supported by clear and reliable evidence, and that the right to appeal remains available to accused persons tried in their absence. Reliance was p