Madduma Ralalage Gunasena vs The Attorney General – CA HCC/0082/2020-2022

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (represented by the Attorney General/State) and Madduma Ralalage Gunasena, the court addressed the issue of the validity of the conviction and sentence for grave sexual abuse of a minor under Section 365B(2)(b) of the Penal Code. It was held that neither the mistaken date in the indictment nor the alleged procedural defects materially prejudiced the accused, and the evidence presented—despite lacking precise dates and corroboration—was sufficient to uphold the conviction. The principle reaffirmed was that credible testimony from a child victim in sexual abuse cases does not require corroboration and that practical difficulties experienced by such victims in recalling exact dates should not invalidate proceedings. This decis