Wewathenne Siriniwasa vs Hon. Attorney General – CA CASE NO. HCC/187/19-2022

In the case between the Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12 (Plaintiff) and Wewathenne Siriniwasa, Accused-Appellant (Defendant), the court addressed the issue of the credibility of the victim’s testimony and the necessity of corroboration in the context of convictions and sentences for charges of kidnapping and grave sexual abuse of a minor under Penal Code sections 354 and 365B(2)(b). It was held that the convictions should be affirmed and the sentence for the second count enhanced due to the presence of aggravating factors, such as the Defendant’s position as a monk and teacher. This decision reaffirmed the principle that corroboration is not always mandatory in cases involving sexual offences where the victim’s account is found to be credible. The findings