Gamini vs. Attorney General – sllr 2011 volume 1 page 236

In the case between Gamini (appellant) and the Attorney General (respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether, in a murder conviction case, a trial judge is obligated to consider the plea of grave and sudden provocation even if the accused or counsel did not expressly advance that defense. It was held that the trial judge is indeed required to examine all alternative verdicts, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, when supported by the evidence, regardless of the defense strategy elected at trial. The principle was reaffirmed that judicial duty demands consideration of any alternative available when facts justify, even absent express argument. This decision referred to authoritative precedents such as King vs. Bellanavithanage Edwin, King vs. Albert Appuhamy, and Ki