Daraniyagalage Chularathne vs Officer-in-Charge Police Station Matale and others – CA HCC 26/25-2025

In the matter of Daraniyagalage Chularathne vs Officer-in-Charge Police Station Matale and others, the court addressed the conviction of the Accused-Appellant for Grave Sexual Abuse. The appeal centered on inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony and the High Court’s evaluation of evidence. The prosecution’s case, the Accused’s defense, and the High Court’s conviction were reviewed. The court held that significant contradictions in the victim’s evidence raised substantial doubts, rendering the testimony insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This decision reaffirmed the principle that major contradictions can undermine a case. The conviction and sentence were set aside, leading to the acquittal of the Accused.

B. Sasi Mahendran, J. – The judgment detailed the case o