Muramudali Gedera Malaka Mihira Bandara vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC/0144/2023-2024

In the case between Mihira Bandara (Accused-Appellant) and the Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed the legal issue of evidentiary contradictions in proving possession and trafficking of heroin. The court held that the conviction could not stand due to discrepancies in the chain of custody and inconsistencies in the weight of the heroin produced at trial, reaffirming the principle that the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that secure handling of evidence is paramount. This decision relied on established legal precedents regarding the necessity for reliable evidence and strict compliance with evidentiary procedures, emphasizing that a breakdown in chain of custody and conflicting evidence undermine the integrity of the prosecution’s case and necessita