Kankanam Gamage Buddhika Yasantha Kumara vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/0254/2020-2022

In the case between Kankanam Gamage Buddhika Yasantha Kumara and The Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of the procedural propriety of continuing a murder trial under Section 48 of the Judicature (Amended) Act following a change of judge. It was held that the continuation of proceedings without formal adoption by the incoming High Court Judge did not prejudice the substantial rights of the parties, and the challenge to the process had no merit. The decision reaffirmed the principle that procedural technicalities should not override the administration of justice when substantial rights remain unaffected. This was based on the interpretation of the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Judicature (Amended) Act, and established judicial precedents, emphasizing that strict for