Mathagadeera Arachchige Saliya Kumara vs The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC 187/24-2025

In the case of Mathagadeera Arachchige Saliya Kumara vs. The Hon. Attorney General, the appeal concerns the conviction and sentence of the Appellant for money laundering, specifically depositing Rs. 2,500,000, alleged to be proceeds of heroin trafficking. Grounds of appeal included errors in not considering police attempts to merge funds, misdirection regarding the Appellant’s explanation and socio-economic standing, and denial of a fair trial. The Appellant was indicted under Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 05 of 2006, found guilty, and sentenced to 7 years rigorous imprisonment, a fine, and confiscation. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming the conviction and sentence.

P. Kumararatnam, J. delivered the judgment affirming the Appellant’s convic