Jayaweera Patabendi Arachchige Jayantha Vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC 95/2020-2022

In the case between the Honourable Attorney General (representing the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka) and Jayaweera Patabendi Arachchige Jayantha, the court addressed the issue of whether a sentence of 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment for grave sexual abuse under section 365(B)(2)(b) of the Penal Code was excessive. It was held that although the conviction remained undisturbed, the sentence warranted reduction in light of significant mitigatory factors, including the accused-appellant’s willingness to plead guilty prior to trial, readiness to compensate, lack of prior convictions, and the specific circumstances of the offence. The court accordingly reduced the sentence to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, maintaining the imposed fine and compensation. This decision reaffirmed the