Don Seemon Ralalage Shantha Premaratne vs The Director-General Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption – CA/HCC/0444/2017-2024

In the case between Don Seemon Ralalage Shantha Premaratne (Accused‑Appellant) and the Director-General, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (Complainant‑Respondent), the court addressed whether the appellant solicited and accepted gratification in relation to securing a government job. It was held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Rs.50,000/‑ was solicited and accepted as a bribe, thus justifying the conviction and sentence imposed at trial. The principle reaffirmed was that the prosecution bears the burden to prove criminal allegations beyond reasonable doubt, drawing upon established case law such as the Woolmington v. DPP “Golden Thread” doctrine, as well as statutory standards under the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Judicature