A.H.M. Ruwan Sanjeewa vs. The Attorney General – CA 05/09-2014

In the case between A.H.M. Ruwan Sanjeewa (Accused Appellant) and the Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed the issue of whether the accused appellant was proven guilty of rape beyond reasonable doubt, focusing particularly on the sufficiency of evidence, the reliability and capacity of the complainant’s testimony, and the proper application of the legal standards governing the defence of alibi. It was held that the prosecution failed to establish the fundamental ingredient of rape—specifically, that sexual intercourse occurred—beyond reasonable doubt, and that the trial judge had erred in law by treating the lack of corroboration for the alibi as proof of guilt. This reaffirmed the rule that the accused carries no burden to prove an alibi and that the prosecution must rebut i