Kapuruhamige Manel Samaranayake & Kapuruhamige Chaminda Ekanayake vs The Attorney General – CA 14/2010-2014

In the case between Kapuruhamige Manel Samaranayake and Kapuruhamige Chaminda Ekanayake (Accused-Appellants) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed the question of whether both accused were properly convicted of the murder of Weerakoon Mudiyanselage Wasantha Hemakeerthi. It was held that the evidence established the guilt of the 1st Accused beyond reasonable doubt, affirming the conviction and sentence. However, for the 2nd Accused, the appellate inquiry determined that insufficient evidence existed to prove murderous intent or direct participation in the shooting, leading to the conviction and sentence being set aside. The decision reaffirmed the principle that criminal liability, especially for murder, requires clear proof of intent and direct participation, rely