Hapuarachchige Weerarathna and Hapuarachchige Lakmal Nadees v. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/0333/2019-2023

In the case between the Accused-Appellants (including the 1st and 2nd Appellants) and the Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of whether the evidence presented established common intention and proved the case beyond reasonable doubt regarding charges of attempted murder and causing grievous hurt. It was held that the case failed to establish a common intention among the Appellants, as the evidence indicated individual, though similar, intentions rather than coordinated action. This decision reaffirmed the principle that joint liability under criminal law requires proof of concerted action and not merely similar acts. The findings relied on the evaluation of witness testimony, particularly PW2, with specific reference to Section 301 of the Penal Code, emphasizing that legal