Alvitigalage Don Dinesh Nimantha and Ravi Murugesh Ananda v. The Attorney General – 242/2013-2013

In the case between Alvitigalage Don Dinesh Nimantha and Ravi Murugesh Ananda (Accused-Appellants) and the Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the sentences imposed for possession and trafficking of less than 1 gram of heroin were appropriate and legally justified, in light of significant discrepancies compared to sentences imposed on co-accused who pled guilty. The court held that, while the sentence for the 2nd accused-appellant with prior convictions was appropriate, the sentence for the 1st accused-appellant with no previous convictions was excessive. The principle reaffirmed was that sentencing discretion must consider individual circumstances and prior records, with reference to established authority and the statutory framework under the Poisons Opium and Dange