Ranjith Wijesuriyage Pradeep & Janaka Kumara vs Hon. Attorney General – CA 161/2018-2024

In the case between Ranjith Wijesuriyage Pradeep and Janaka Kumara (Appellants) and the Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12 (Respondents), the court addressed the sufficiency of the victim’s evidence concerning the identification of the appellants in a charge of gang rape. It was held that the inconsistent identification by the victim, lack of substantial familiarity between the victim and the appellants, and absence of physical injuries raised significant doubt as to the reliability of the prosecution’s case. The principle that identification evidence, especially when the victim has only limited prior acquaintance with the accused, is less reliable than direct identification, was reaffirmed. Relying on relevant precedents and statutory requirements for proof b