Rajapakshe Gedera Swarnawathie vs Attorney General – CA NO. 78/2009-2012

In the case between Rajapakshe Gedera Swarnawathie (Accused-Appellant) and the Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the circumstantial evidence presented was sufficient to uphold a murder conviction and death sentence for the alleged killing of the appellant’s husband. It was held that the evidence, including the appellant’s statements and investigative shortcomings, failed to establish murder beyond reasonable doubt, and did not exclude the possibility of involvement by others. The holding reaffirmed that in cases reliant solely on circumstantial evidence, it is essential for the prosecution to exclude every reasonable hypothesis except the guilt of the accused. Reliance was placed on established principles governing circumstantial evidence, emphasizing that inadequa