Sunil Harischandra vs Hon. Attorney General – CA NO.255/10-2015

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Sunil Harischandra, the appellate court addressed whether the accused was guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the murder of Ranasinghe Premadasa under Section 296 of the Penal Code and of causing hurt to Hewa Dewage Gunawathie under Section 316. The findings established that the prosecution failed to conclusively prove involvement of the accused in the murder due to the lack of direct evidence and identification on that count, resulting in acquittal for murder. Conversely, the evidence was found sufficient to uphold the conviction for causing hurt, and the sentence of two years’ rigorous imprisonment was confirmed. The request for sentence enhancement, referencing Bandara v Republic, was declined as the circumstances were