Warusappulige Wasantha Sarath Kumara vs. Hon. Attorney General – CA/HCC/103/22-2024

In the case between the accused appellant and the Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of whether the conviction for sexual offences under sections 354 and 364(3) of the Penal Code could be sustained in light of alleged inconsistencies, the belated complaint, and whether the evidence met the threshold of proof beyond reasonable doubt. It was held that minor discrepancies in the victim’s testimony, particularly relating to the period of the offence and perceived contradictions with medical evidence, did not rise to a level that warranted overturning the conviction. The principle reaffirmed was that courts must assess the totality of evidence, especially where the testimony of a minor victim is concerned, and minor inconsistencies do not necessarily undermine credibility if t