Mariyanayagam Norbertsingam vs Hon. Attorney General – CA 16 A-B/2010-2010

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Mariyanayagam Norbertsingam, the court addressed the issue of whether the sentence of life imprisonment imposed by the High Court should run from the date of conviction (08.02.2010), as requested by the Accused-Appellant’s counsel and without objection from the Attorney General’s representative. It was held that the sentence should commence from the date of conviction, with clarification that this order applies if the competent authority subsequently decides to convert the life sentence to a fixed-term sentence. This decision reinforces the principle that the starting point of a sentence may be judicially determined in accordance with procedural fairness and prosecutorial consent.

Vijith K. Malalgoda, PC. J. (PICA) —