Udugamage Jayarathne vs The Attorney General – CA HCC/0236/2019-2021

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Attorney General) and Udugamage Jayarathne, the court examined whether the accused-appellant was in possession of an automatic firearm in contravention of the Firearms Ordinance. It was held that the prosecution failed to prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt due to inconsistencies in the evidence, lack of vital witnesses, and the absence of crucial physical exhibits. The decision reaffirmed the principle that conviction cannot be based solely on a questionable Section 27 statement unless supported by credible corroborative evidence. The judgment relied on established case law regarding the standard of proof required in criminal cases and the evidentiary value of Section 27 statements, emphasizing that the prosecution’s