Gamage Arachchige Nilmini vs The Attorney General – CA HCC/0008/2020-2022

In the case between the Attorney General (on behalf of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka) and Gamage Arachchige Nilmini, the court addressed the validity of the conviction and life sentence imposed for possession of heroin. It was held that significant doubts arose regarding the prosecution’s evidence, with particular emphasis on the improper shifting of the burden of proof, inconsistencies in witness testimony, and questionable handling of crucial evidence. The principle reaffirmed requires the prosecution to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, without improperly assigning the burden to the accused. This determination relied on established statutory requirements and precedents safeguarding a fair trial, highlighting that procedural irregularities and unresolved inconsist