Three individuals who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the possession of heroin have been acquitted after a period of 25 years over an erroneous statement related to moonlight.
The suspects were acquitted after the case was called for a re-trial before Puttalam High Court Judge Nadee Aparna Suwandurugoda on May 11, 2023.
The three suspects were arrested on September 17, 1998, during a raid at Kalpitiya Beach conducted by the Chilaw Police and were found to be in possession of 10 kilos of heroin.
After non-summary proceedings, they were committed to stand trial at the Puttalam High Court where they were found guilty and handed life sentences on June 29, 2017.
However, during the re-trial, the defence successfully challenged the Police’s claim that the raid was conducted under moonlight.
Arguing the absence of moonlight during the alleged incident contradicted the Police’s testimony ultimately leading to doubts in the prosecution’s case and the acquittal of the accused. (NewsWire)