Kalubowilage Nishantha Perera vs The Hon. Attorney General – CA 115/2017-2017

In the case between Kalubowilage Nishantha Perera (Accused-Appellant) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the Court addressed whether the appellant’s conviction for robbery was justified, focusing on the reliability of identification evidence, the handling of defence evidence, and the chain of custody regarding the allegedly stolen phone. It was held that the conviction was unsafe due to significant deficiencies in the identification process, inconsistencies in the evidence relating to the recovered property, and the High Court’s failure to consider the defence evidence, a deficiency admitted by prosecution counsel. The decision reaffirmed the principle that a fair evaluation of all evidence—including that of the defence—is essential to a just conviction. The conviction and sentenc