Sudath Nishantha Koman Godage vs. The Attorney General – CA HCC 0026/2021-2025

The case between Sudath Nishantha Koman Godage (Accused-appellant) and the State, the court addressed the issue of an appeal against a conviction and death sentence for possession and trafficking of 382.3g of heroin. The court held that the appeal was dismissed, and the conviction and death sentence imposed by the High Court of Galle were affirmed, reaffirming the principle that the prosecution successfully established exclusive possession of heroin, and the defence’s grounds of appeal were insufficient to cast doubt on the conviction. This decision relied on the meticulous review of prosecution evidence and the chain of custody, emphasizing that no discrepancies were found to warrant interference with the High Court’s judgment.

B. Sasi Mahendran, J. – The main judgment detailed the Acc