Dadallage Amila Tharanga et al. vs. The Attorney General – CA HCC 0055-058/2019-2021

The case between the Attorney General and Dadallage Amila Tharanga, Yaddehi Guruge Sumith Wasantha, Sumith Chinthaka Malalgoda, and Gamahewage Sunil alias Podiputha addressed the validity of convictions and death sentences imposed for murder under Section 296/32 of the Penal Code. The court examined whether the evidence, especially from the sole eyewitness (PW-03), was sufficiently reliable, whether the 3rd appellant received a fair trial, and whether the trial judge unfairly shifted the burden of proof onto the appellants. It was held that the convictions and sentences were legally sound, affirming the principle that credible evidence from a single witness can suffice for conviction if corroborated, and the prosecution retains the burden to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The decisio