Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sampath Chamara Dissanayake v. Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/0031/2022-2022

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (via the Hon. Attorney General) and Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Sampath Chamara Dissanayake, the court addressed the proportionality of a 12-year rigorous imprisonment sentence (with fine and compensation) for the offence of attempted murder under section 300 of the Penal Code. It was determined that, on appeal, the sentence imposed by the High Court for the attempted murder of the accused’s father-in-law was not excessive and aligned with established sentencing principles. The decision reaffirmed that sentencing must reflect aggravating and mitigating factors, and judges must provide adequate reasons referencing precedent (such as Attorney General v. H. N. De Silva). Aggravation was established on grounds of premeditation, u