Dehiwalage Niranjan Sanjeewa Perera, A. Dinusha Nishantha, H.S. Dinesh Kumara vs Hon Attorney General – CA NO.159-161/2011-2013

In the case between Dehiwalage Niranjan Sanjeewa Perera, A. Dinusha Nishantha, H.S. Dinesh Kumara (Appellants) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of the legality and appropriateness of the sentences imposed for offences comprising culpable homicide not amounting to murder and related charges. It was held that the fines levied under specific counts were unlawful and that revised, lawful fines should be substituted. The direction for consecutive sentences in respect of lesser offences was replaced with an order for such sentences to run concurrently, resulting in a reduced total term of imprisonment. The principle reaffirmed is that sentencing must strictly comply with statutory limits and concurrent sentences are appropriate where the legislative inten