The State vs. Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Sunil Shantha alias Chootiya – CA HCC/0208/2016-2022

In the case between Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Sunil Shantha alias Chootiya (Accused-Appellant) and The Hon. Attorney General (Complainant-Respondent), the court addressed the sufficiency and reliability of DNA evidence as the sole basis for conviction under Section 296 of the Penal Code. The holding affirmed that DNA evidence, when properly established and lawfully admitted, can constitute sufficient circumstantial evidence for a conviction, even in the absence of direct eyewitness testimony. The principle reaffirmed is that expert evidence, including DNA analysis admitted under Section 45 of the Evidence Ordinance, is legally admissible and sufficient where thoroughly evaluated and placed before the jury with due direction. This decision relied on both domestic and international legal stan