Amarasinghe Wickrama Arachchige Manoj vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/123/2020-2021

In the case between Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo (Complainant/Respondent) and Amarasinghe Wickrama Arachchige Manoj (Accused/Appellant), the court addressed whether the conviction and life sentence imposed for possession and trafficking of 4.68g of heroin were justified. It was held that the trial court’s verdict was rendered against the weight of evidence due to failures to properly consider critical contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence and to give adequate prominence to the defence. The principle reaffirmed was that unresolved inconsistencies and improper evaluation of the defence detract from the presumption of innocence and can lead to a miscarriage of justice. The appellate court, referencing standards for appellate review and the benefit of th