Jatungage Gamini alias Mahathun vs Hon. The Attorney General – CA NO:139/2011-2014

In the case between Jatungage Gamini alias Mahathun (Accused-Appellant) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court considered the legality of the conviction for rape and the imposition of a default sentence for non-payment of compensation. It was held that the conviction and sentences were unsafe in law due to evidentiary inconsistencies, an implausible explanation for delayed reporting from the prosecutrix, and lack of corroboration of non-consensual intercourse. The court reaffirmed the principle that the prosecution must prove the lack of consent in rape cases beyond reasonable doubt, and that the default sentence imposed for non-payment of compensation must align with legal requirements. This decision relied on statutory interpretation and relevant precedents concerning stan