Sumanasena v. Attorney General – sllr 1999 volume 3 page 137

The case between Sumanasena (Plaintiff) and the Attorney-General (Defendant) addressed the evidentiary question of whether the testimony of a single, belated witness may suffice to establish guilt in a murder prosecution. It was held that testimonial trustworthiness depends not on the quantity of witnesses but on the cogency and credibility of the evidence offered, supported by corroborative items and forensic findings. The necessity for the accused to provide an explanation when incriminating circumstances are established was emphasized, with reliance placed on established legal principles regarding the weighing of evidence rather than mere numerical evaluation. The outcome reinforced that unexplained incriminating evidence, combined with credible corroborative factors, warrants affirmati