Hirimuthugoda Sanjeewa Shantha alias Ran Mama vs Hon. Attorney General – CA 150/2010-2014

In the case between Hirimuthugoda Sanjeewa Shantha alias Ran Mama (Accused-Appellant) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the imposition of a non-custodial suspended sentence for grave sexual abuse contravened the mandatory sentencing requirements under Section 365B(2)(B) of the Sri Lankan Penal Code. It was held that such an offence required a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of no less than 10 years, and the High Court’s suspension of the sentence was contrary to law. The key legal principle reaffirmed was that judicial discretion to mitigate or suspend minimum sentences is confined to exceptional circumstances, not present in this case. The decision relied on statutory provisions and judicial precedent, stressing the necessity of upholding legisla