Thelge Upananda v. The Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12 – CA HCC/0422/17-2022

In the case between The Attorney General, representing the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and Thelge Upananda, the issue concerned the propriety and evidential support of the conviction and life sentence imposed on Thelge Upananda for the importation, trafficking, and possession of Heroin under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It was held that the conviction and sentence were justified, as the trial court had appropriately assessed and accepted the prosecution’s evidence, adequately addressed any alleged contradictions, and properly evaluated the defence. The legal principle reaffirmed was that material contradictions must affect the core of the prosecution’s case to be legally significant, and police testimony can be relied upon if credible. The decision emph