Sivaneshan Raja alias Nesha vs Republic of Sri Lanka – CA APPEAL NO. 20/2009-2013

In the case between Sivaneshan Raja alias Nesha (Accused-Appellant) and the Republic of Sri Lanka (Respondent), the court addressed the lawfulness of the appellant’s conviction for possession and trafficking of 1068.4 grams of heroin. It was held that contradictions in the police statements made by the accused-appellant did not amount to confessions and that the trial judge did not improperly consider these statements as evidence. The findings established that the prosecution succeeded in proving the appellant’s awareness (mens rea) regarding the nature of the parcel, and that the appellant’s explanations did not create reasonable doubt. The court affirmed both conviction and sentence, reiterating the legal principle that possession with knowledge and control of narcotics, supported by cre