Attorney General vs Hiti Bandara Gamlath Arachchige Wasantha Kumarasinghe – CA/PHC/APN/137/2015-2025

In the case between the Attorney General/Attorney General’s Department and V. Hiti Bandara Gamlath Arachchige Wasantha Kumarasinghe N.M. Appuhamy, the court considered whether the sentence and fine imposed by the High Court for criminal breach of trust were appropriate, particularly regarding proportionality to the gravity of the offence. The court held that the original fine and custodial sentences were inadequate in light of the misappropriation of over Rs. 20 million, despite the custodial sentence being suspended due to the passage of time. The holding reaffirmed the principle that penalties in cases of breach of trust involving public office must reflect public interest and deterrence, relying on precedents and the requirements of Article 138 of the Constitution. Emphasis was placed o