Hewage Rajith Kumara Sunil Jayaratne vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC 0163/2023-2025

In the case between the Hon. Attorney General and Hewage Rajith Kumara Sunil Jayaratne, the court considered whether discrepancies in the weight of heroin recovered at the time of arrest and the weight reported by the Government Analyst, as well as the integrity of the production chain, affected the fairness of the trial and the conviction for drug trafficking. It was determined that the unexplained discrepancy in weights and deficiencies in the evidentiary handling compromised the accused’s right to a fair trial. Accordingly, the conviction and sentence were set aside, reaffirming that the prosecution must maintain an unbroken chain of evidence and address material inconsistencies in serious narcotics cases. The holding underscored the paramount need for reliable proof and strict procedur