Aluthbaduge Srimathi Jayantha Rodrigo vs. The Hon. Attorney General – CA HCC/267/2009-2023

Brief
In the case between Aluthbaduge Srimathi Jayantha Rodrigo (Accused‑Appellant) and the Hon. Attorney General (Respondent), the court addressed whether the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt the charge of misappropriation of stamp duty, particularly in relation to procedural irregularities, hearsay evidence, and the classification of Deed No. 734. It was held that the conviction could not be sustained, as the evidence presented did not satisfy the requirement for establishing dishonest intent or criminal misappropriation. The decision reaffirmed the principle that criminal convictions require proof beyond reasonable doubt and that reliance on hearsay and procedural flaws undermines such proof. The court’s reasoning highlighted that evaluation must focus on properly admitted