Yasindu Udara Batuwatte Gamage vs Hon. Attorney General – CA PHC/APN/04/2020-2022

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (State) and Yasindu Udara Batuwatte Gamage, the court addressed whether the sentence imposed by the High Court of Galle for causing the death of the accused’s cousin should be set aside or varied upon revision. It was held that, although the revision application did not fully satisfy conditions of absence of undue delay and the presence of “exceptional circumstances,” the sentence warranted reduction based on the deceased’s prior conduct and the circumstances of provocation faced by the accused. The court reaffirmed the principle that sentences must appropriately reflect individual circumstances and proportionality of punishment, drawing upon established principles for granting revision, including the necessity of exception