Lathwahandi Kithsiri Pradeep Silva alias Captain Ranji Vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/299/2012-2022

In the case between Lathwahandi Kithsiri Pradeep Silva alias Captain Ranji (Accused-Appellant) and The Hon. Attorney General on behalf of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Complainant-Respondent), the court addressed the lawfulness of the accused-appellant’s conviction for willful possession of a revolver without proper authority under Emergency Regulations, with particular attention to procedural compliance during a trial in absentia. It was held that the prosecution established, beyond reasonable doubt, both the proper chain of custody and the identity of the firearm. The court reaffirmed the principle that the requirements of Section 241 of the Criminal Procedure Code regarding service of indictment and the right to a fair trial had been satisfied. Relevant statutory and e