Chandrasiri vs Attorney General – sllr 2011 volume 1 page 010

In Chandrasir v. Attorney General, the court addressed whether the accused, Chandrasir, had ridden a motorcycle in a rash or negligent manner resulting in death, specifically under Section 298 of the Penal Code. It was held that the evidence failed to establish criminal negligence beyond reasonable doubt, as there was an absence of direct proof concerning the accused’s manner of riding and post-accident conduct demonstrated cooperation and assistance to the injured. The legal principle reaffirmed was that the prosecution bears the burden to prove criminal negligence beyond reasonable doubt and that charges must specifically enumerate the acts constituting such negligence. The conviction and sentence were set aside, with reliance placed on established case law and statutory interpretation,