Agalakada Liyanage Harshana Kelum Pradeep Kumara Vs Samantha Kumara Pandithasekara and Others – CA PHC APN 35/2015-2018

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (State, represented by the Hon. Attorney General) and Samantha Kumara Pandithasekara alias Hittchi Putha and others, the court addressed whether the sentences imposed by the High Court of Matara on the accused-respondents, who pleaded guilty to offences including attempted murder and grievous hurt as part of an unlawful assembly, were manifestly inadequate and failed to comply with statutory requirements. It was held that the High Court Judge erred by suspending sentences without providing reasons as required by Section 303(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, and the sentences did not properly reflect the gravity of the crimes. The principle reaffirmed was the necessity for courts to provide sufficient reasons when co