Suppaiya Rajendran vs Hon. Attorney General – CA 234/2011-2014

The court addressed the issue of whether Suppaiya Rajendran committed rape against Perumal Wasantham, a 19-year-old domestic servant, thereby sustaining a conviction under Sri Lankan criminal law. It was determined that the conviction could not be upheld due to failure to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt, specifically regarding the identity of the perpetrator, the complainant’s credibility, and the presence or absence of consent. The holding reaffirmed the principle that in criminal proceedings—especially for sexual offences—the prosecution bears the burden to prove all elements of the offence beyond reasonable doubt, including absence of consent and positive identification of the accused. This decision relied on established legal authorities and precedent concerning the stand