Judgment

1. The 1^st and 2^nd accused-appellants (hereinafter referred to as “the 1^st and 2^nd appellants”) has filed the instant appeal against the judgment dated 13.10.2022 delivered by the learned High Court Judge of Colombo.

2. The charges in the indictment are as follows:

Charge 1 On or about 10^th June 2011, the Accused – Appellants have kidnapped Susei Thilini Maduwanthi aged 16 years, in order that she may be forced or seduced to illicit sexual intercourse, or knowing it to be likely that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse without her consent, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 32 of the Penal Code read together with Section 357 of the Penal Code.

Charge 2 On or about 10^th June 2011, the Accused – Appellants have kidnapped Warnakulasuriya Hansani Kavitha Thisera aged 16 years, in order that she may be forced or seduced to illicit sexual intercourse, or knowing it to be likely that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse without her consent, there by committing an offence punishable under Section 32 of the Penal Code read together with Section 357 of the Penal Code.

Charge 3 On or about 10^th June 2011, the Accused-Appellants have wro