Giriduruge Dishantha Chandana Gamage alias Kaju Mamage Putha v. Hon. Attorney General – HCC/0003/2021-2022

In the case between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Giriduruge Dishantha Chandana Gamage alias Kaju Mamage Putha (Accused – Appellant), the court addressed the issue of sentencing in relation to an appellant convicted of grave sexual abuse under section 365B 2(b) of the Penal Code. The court held that, considering the appellant’s age of 16 years at the time of the offense and absence of prior convictions, a reduction of the custodial sentence from 7 years to 18 months of rigorous imprisonment was appropriate. Emphasis was placed on the principle that sentences for juvenile offenders should reflect prospects of rehabilitation, as supported by relevant sentencing guidelines and precedents. The decision underscored the need for proportionality between the seriousness of the