Ihala Gedera Hewage Lionel Thilakarathne vs Attorney General – CA/HCC/0043/2021-2025

Court of Appeal of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka considered appeal No. CA/HCC/0043/2021 challenging a High Court of Kegalle conviction (HC/3879/2018) whereby Ihala Gedera Hewage Lionel Thilakarathne was convicted for grave sexual abuse against Palle Gedera Induwari Samithma Wijetunga under Section 365(B)(2)(b) of the Penal Code. The appeal raised issues concerning inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony, discrepancies with the medical history, improper framing of the charge, absence of testimony from an essential witness, and contradictions in the evidence of a material witness. The prosecution’s case was examined regarding whether the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt was met based on circumstantial evidence and apparent evidentiary deficiencies.

P. Kumararat