The State vs. Chakrawarthige Akila Risinath Dabarera – CA/HCC/0177/20-2022

In the case between Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12 (Complainant-Respondent) and Chakrawarthige Akila Risinath Dabarera alias Akila Risinath Dabarera (Accused-Appellant), the Court addressed the issue of whether the sentences imposed for kidnapping a minor and grave sexual abuse should be reduced in light of a guilty plea and mitigating factors. The appeal challenged only the severity of the sentence, not the conviction itself. It was held that, due to the absence of prior convictions, the accused-appellant’s plea of guilt, and the saving of judicial time, the original aggregate sentence of 18 years of rigorous imprisonment for each count of grave sexual abuse was excessive. The sentences for these counts were reduced to 8 years each, to run concurrently an