Arumugam Sebestian v. The Hon. Attorney General – CA 12/2015-2016

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (represented by the Hon. Attorney General) and Arumugam Sebestian, the court addressed whether the trial judge erred in evaluating the defense evidence and in applying the standard of reasonable doubt, specifically in the context of a conviction for possession and trafficking of heroin under the Poisons Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It was held that the trial judge’s approach to the credibility of prosecution and defense evidence was justified and that the findings were supported by the record, reaffirming that appellate courts should not disturb findings of fact unless they lack evidentiary support. The decision relied on established legal standards regarding the assessment of witness credibility, the duty of the de