Mahagoda Vithanage Chandrarathne Dharmawardhana vs. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and others – CA HCC 64/2018-2025

Mahagoda Vithanage Chandrarathne Dharmawardhana vs. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and others. The appeal challenged the conviction and sentencing for bribery charges concerning the solicitation and acceptance of gratification for obtaining a passenger transport permit. The High Court had found the appellant guilty. The Court of Appeal determined that the prosecution failed to establish its case beyond a reasonable doubt, specifically regarding the appellant’s connection to the National Transport Commission and his purported ability to procure the permit. Consequently, the conviction, disputed judgment, and sentencing order were set aside, and the appellant was acquitted. A re-trial was deemed inappropriate due to the significant lapse of 17 years since