Godayalage Karunadasa vs The Officer-in-Charge, Police Station Bulathkohupitiya and The Attorney General – CA PHC APN/0041/2023-2023

In the case between Godayalage Karunadasa (Accused-Appellant) and the High Court of Kegalle, the Officer-in-Charge of Bulathkohupitiya Police Station, and the Attorney General’s Department (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the prosecution successfully proved the charge of possession of illegal liquor beyond a reasonable doubt, and whether the chain of custody and the evidentiary value of the dock statement were adequately evaluated. It was held that the prosecution met its evidentiary burden, and that the lower courts’ assessment of the dock statement and evaluation of the prosecution’s case were proper. The principle reaffirmed was that an appellate court will not disturb convictions where the prosecution’s case is supported by the evidence and legal standards have b