Warnakulasooriya Arachchilage Anil Priyankara vs. Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC/0267/2016-2024

In the case between the High Court of Chilaw (representing public interest via the Attorney General’s Department) and Warnakulasooriya Arachchilage Anil Priyankara, the court addressed whether a death sentence could be imposed on an individual who was 17 years old at the time of committing murder, with reference to Section 53 of the Penal Code (as amended). It was held that the relevant age for sentencing is that of the accused at the time sentence is imposed, not at the time of the offence. The court relied on the interpretation of statutory amendments and Supreme Court precedent, particularly Kodituwakkulage Pradeep Samantha alias Fredie v., holding that the High Court’s imposition of the death sentence was legally justified. This decision reaffirmed the principle that sentencing should