Thuppahige Saranapala vs. Hon Attorney General – CA HC/313/2009-2017

In the case between Thuppahige Saranapala (Accused-Appellant) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court examined whether the accused-appellant was afforded a fair trial in the High Court considering procedural irregularities, specifically the lack of access to the indictment and absence of legal representation at a pivotal stage of the proceedings. It was held that the fairness of the trial was compromised, warranting the conviction to be set aside and a retrial to be ordered. The principle reaffirmed is that the right to a fair trial under Article 13 of the Constitution and international human rights standards must be strictly upheld, especially concerning effective legal representation and access to the indictment. Reliance was placed on constitutional provisions and appellat