Ishwara Wellappili Arachchilage Neil Wasantha vs Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/171/2020-2023

In the case between Ishwara Wellappili Arachchilage Neil Wasantha (Appellant) and Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the trial judge misapplied criminal law by shifting the burden of proof to the accused and whether the chain of custody for narcotics evidence was properly maintained. It was held that the trial judge failed to uphold the presumption of innocence and disregarded procedural safeguards governing the handling and documentation of evidence. The decision reaffirmed the principle that the burden of proof in criminal cases remains with the prosecution and cited relevant case law to underscore the importance of strict adherence to established evidentiary procedures. The conviction and sentence against the appellant were set aside, emphasizing the necessi