The State vs. Abeywickrama Gamachige Jayantha Kumarasiri alias Ranji et al. – CA NO. 243/2015-2015

In the case between the Attorney General and Abeywickrama Gamachige Jayantha Kumarasiri alias Ranji, Boparagoda Gamage Sirisena alias Sira, and Boparagoda Gamage Chandrasena alias Chandare, the court addressed the justification of convictions for murder and causing hurt, focusing on the adequacy of visual identification and the proof of common intention among the accused under Section 315 of the Penal Code. It was held that only the conviction and sentence against the first accused were justified, affirming the principle that substantive evidence and proof beyond reasonable doubt are required for criminal liability, especially where common intention is alleged. Reliance was placed on the credibility of eyewitness testimony in accordance with the Turnbull principles and the requirement for