People vs. K. A. D. Bandula Hemakumara – CA HCC/0148/0150/2022-2022

In the case between K. A. D. Bandula Hemakumara, B. A. D. Nandarathna Abegunawardena, and M. Vijith Ashoka alias Mahinda (Appellants) and the Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the convictions for murder and the associated death sentences were sustainable given the evidentiary concerns. The core issues involved the reliability of an eyewitness identification under poor lighting and short observation, the impact of contradictory testimony by the principal witness, and whether the prosecution established common intention beyond reasonable doubt. It was determined that, while evidence existed to uphold the conviction of the 1st accused, the proof was insufficient with respect to the 2nd and 3rd accused, particularly concerning their participation with a common intentio