Officer-In-Charge vs Rasika Deepal Bandara Dissanayake – SC APPEAL 20/2021-2022

In the case between Officer-In-Charge, Special Crime Investigation Unit, Moratuwa Police Station (Plaintiff/Complainant) and Rasika Deepal Bandara Dissanayake (Defendant/Accused, Appellant), the Supreme Court addressed the appeal against the conviction and sentence for misappropriation of funds. It was determined that while the conviction was properly sustained, the sentences of six months rigorous imprisonment on two counts, along with fines, should be suspended for ten years. Additionally, the compensation order imposed by the Magistrate Court was set aside on the basis that a civil settlement had been reached in a related District Court matter. The principle reaffirmed was that mitigation—such as first-time offender status, remorse, and civil settlement—may properly inform sentencing, b