Randeni Arachchige Don Sameera Madhusanka vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC/03/2022-2024

In the case between Randeni Arachchige Don Sameera Madhusanka (2nd accused-appellant) and the Hon. Attorney General (respondent), the court addressed the reliability of witness identification in convictions for robbery and aiding gang rape. The issue concerned discrepancies in evidence related to lighting conditions at the time of the crime and inconsistencies in identification at the identification parade. It was held that the evidence was insufficient to establish a positive identification of the appellant. The principle reaffirmed is that, in matters heavily reliant on visual identification, strict compliance with the guidelines established in Regina v. Turnbull is required, demanding careful judicial scrutiny. The decision emphasized that convictons should not be sustained where eviden