Masakkarahettilage Don Ishantha Kumara Masakkara alias Kotiya et al. vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/304-306/2017-2022

In the case between Masakkarahettilage Don Ishantha Kumara Masakkara alias Kotiya and others (Accused-Appellants) and The Hon. Attorney General (Complainant-Respondent), the court addressed the admissibility and sufficiency of evidence under the Evidence Ordinance related to the murder conviction of three appellants. The issues considered included the use of a confession by the 1st Appellant against the 2nd and 3rd Appellants, the adequacy of circumstantial evidence, and whether the prosecution satisfied the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt. It was held that while evidence was sufficient to uphold the conviction of the 1st Appellant, the 2nd and 3rd Appellants’ convictions could not be sustained due to evidentiary deficiencies. The court reaffirmed the principle that a confession by