Jasing & Ranjith v. The State – CA NO. 17/2017-2021

In Athaudage Premadasa v. Hon. The Attorney-General, the court examined the validity of a murder conviction and death sentence imposed on the accused-appellant. The central issues considered were whether the High Court erred in its reliance on circumstantial evidence and alleged dying declarations in the absence of direct eyewitnesses, the evidentiary value of inconsistent witness testimonies, deficiencies in identifying the deceased, and whether the trial court improperly shifted the burden of proof to the accused-appellant. It was held that the prosecution failed to establish the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt due to substantial gaps and contradictions in the evidence, as well as an incorrect application of evidential principles. Established legal standards were reaffirmed, stip