Vithanagamage Sivantha Perera vs Hon Attorney General – CA NO.186/2014-2018

In the case between Vithanagamage Sivantha Perera alias Podi Mahathun (Accused-Appellant) and the Hon Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the conviction and sentence imposed by the High Court for murder and attempted murder were legally sustainable, particularly in light of alleged contradictions in the evidence of the sole eyewitness and the omission to sentence for attempted murder. It was held that the contradictions in the eyewitness testimony were minor and did not undermine credibility, and that the failure to impose a sentence for attempted murder was a legal error. The decision reaffirmed the principle that reliance may be placed on the evidence of a sole eyewitness if found credible and that all offenses for which guilt is found must carry sente