Ravindra Sumith Hewapatha Vs Hon. Attorney General – CPA/19/2022-2022

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, represented by the Hon. Attorney General, and Ravindra Sumith Hewapatha, the court addressed the issue of whether the High Court judgment should be set aside due to alleged non-compliance with Section 196 of the Criminal Procedure Code concerning the reading of the indictment to the accused. It was held that the trial record established the indictment had been read and explained to the accused, and his plea was properly recorded in the presence of legal counsel. The court reaffirmed that a mere procedural lapse under Section 196 does not automatically invalidate a conviction unless prejudice or a miscarriage of justice impacting the substantial rights of the accused is shown. Reliance was placed on relevant precedent, emph