The State vs. Devunderage Nihal – SC APPEAL 154/2010-2019

In the case between The State (Complainant/Respondent) and Devunderage Nihal (Accused/Appellant), the Supreme Court considered whether the evidence of a single police witness in a drug-related offence is sufficient for conviction absent corroboration, and whether there exists an additional legal requirement compelling the prosecution to facilitate contradiction of police witnesses by the defense. It was decided that the evidence of a solitary witness, if credible, is legally adequate for conviction under Section 134 of the Evidence Ordinance, and no authority supports the imposition of a statutory burden on the prosecution to secure or enable contradiction beyond established legal norms. The holding reinstated the High Court’s conviction, finding the Court of Appeal’s contrary reasoning fl