Ayagama Thennegedara Martin Alias Silva vs Hon. Attorney-General – CA/HCC/436/2019-2025

The court addressed the issue of whether the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to establish guilt in a murder prosecution. It was determined that the cohesive factual matrix, including witness testimonies, canine tracking evidence, and the accused’s conduct, rendered the guilt inference the only reasonable explanation. The decision reaffirmed the principle that where an accused fails to provide a plausible account in the face of a strong prima facie case, the established circumstantial evidence may stand as the sole basis for conviction. The judgment referenced established statutes and precedents on circumstantial evidence and adverse inferences from non-explanation as guiding authority.

B. Sasi Mahendran, J.: It was determined that the evidence demonstrated that the accused concea