Kotuwila Kankanamalage Premalal Leonard Perera v. Hon. Attorney General – SC APPEAL 220/2014-2014

In the case between Kotuwila Kankanamalage Premalal Leonard Perera (Accused-Appellant/Petitioner) and the Officer-in-Charge, Buttala Police Station, the Attorney General, and others (Complainant/Respondent), the core legal issues concerned the correctness of the High Court’s affirmation of the trial judge’s reliance on the testimony of a single lay witness, and whether alleged procedural irregularities amounted to a denial of a fair trial. It was held that credibility assessments made by trial courts, particularly regarding the demeanor of witnesses, are findings of fact and are not ordinarily subject to appellate interference absent manifest error. The claims regarding denial of fair trial were not substantiated, as procedural compliance was established on the record. The appeal was dismi