Kumaradath De Soysa Siriwardena vs. Hon. Attorney General – CA NO. 217/2003-2014

In the case between Kumaradath De Soysa Siriwardena and the Hon. Attorney General, the court addressed whether the custodial sentence for two counts of cheating under Section 403 of the Penal Code, imposed by the High Court of Colombo, should be affirmed or varied in view of the more than 19 years that had elapsed since the commission of the offences. It was held that, while the conviction remained undisturbed due to clear evidence of dishonest intent, the significant passage of time warranted a revision of sentence. The court reaffirmed the principle permitting suspension of sentences in appropriate circumstances, drawing upon *Karunaratne v. State* (78 NLR 413). As a result, the custodial sentence was suspended, fines and compensation orders were imposed, and the appeal was dismissed sub