Hennadige Asantha Sanjeewa Fernando vs Hon. Attorney General – CA CASE NO: HCC 41/2021-2023

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Hennadige Asantha Sanjeewa Fernando, the court addressed whether the accused-appellant was lawfully convicted for possession and trafficking of heroin under the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. It was held that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, particularly due to inconsistencies in the police testimony and forensic evidence regarding the chain of custody and identification of the heroin. The findings relied on established legal standards of probability and reasonable doubt, emphasizing that credibility of evidence and rigorous evaluation of discrepancies are paramount in criminal trials. The appeal was allowed, and the conviction and sentence were set aside.

B. Sasi Mah