Attorney General vs Nissanka Swarnapala alias Chandare – CA 20 A-B/2010-2013

Brief
The case between the Attorney General and the accused-appellants Mudiyanselage Manjula Samankumara, Liyanadurage Dharnasiri, and Narayana Mudiyanselage Vasantha addressed the issue of the validity of convictions for gang rape, particularly concerning the liability of the 4th and 5th accused based on evidence of abetment or conspiracy. It was held that the convictions were valid, reaffirming the principle that presence and conduct indicating a shared common intention can establish liability for gang rape under abetment and conspiracy provisions. This decision relied on the Penal Code (Sections 364(2), 100, 113A) and relevant precedents, emphasizing that misdirections by the trial judge did not result in a miscarriage of justice. The sentences were reduced from 15 to 10 years rigorous