Galaudakanda Watukarage Siripala Vs. Totapitiya Arachchige Abeypala – 195/2011-2011

In the case between Totapitiya Arachchige Abeypala (accused/appellant) and the Head Quarters Inspector of Ratnapura Police Station, Galaudakanda Watukarage Siripala Deheragoda (complainant/respondent), the Court addressed whether the Accused-Appellant’s failure to name the Attorney-General (as the representative of the complainant) as a party in the appeal amounted to non-compliance with Supreme Court Rules 4 and 28. The Court held that omission of the Attorney-General as a party constitutes a procedural defect fatal to the appeal, reinforcing the principle that the proper constitution of parties is fundamental for the validity of appellate proceedings in criminal cases. Reliance was placed on the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, relevant Supreme Court Rules, and established case law, under