IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Appeal made under Section 331(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No.15 of 1979, read with Article 138 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Court of Appeal No: The Attorney General CA/HCC/ 246-247//2019 Attorney General’s Department High Court of Negombo Colombo-12.

Case No. HC/ 326/2003 COMPLIANANT Vs.

1. Makawitage Suresh Gunasena

2. Jayasinghe Arachchige Nalin Chandimal Jayasinghe

3. Herath Adikaralage Prasad Dilhara Perera

4. Herath Mudiyanselage Asela Kumara Herath ACCUSED AND NOW BETWEEN

1. Makawitage Suresh Gunasena

2. Jayasinghe Arachchige Nalin Chandimal Jayasinghe ACCUSED-APPELLANTS Vs.

The Hon. Attorney General Attorney General’s Department Colombo-12 COMPLAINANT-RESPONDENT BEFORE : Sampath B. Abayakoon, J.

P.Kumararatnam,J.

COUNSEL : Shanaka Ranasinghe, PC., Niroshan with Niroshan Mihindukulasuriya of the Appellants.

N.R. Abeysuriya, PC., ASG for the Respondent.

ARGUED ON : 02.05.2024, 16.05.2024 and 22.05.2024 DECIDED ON : 30.08.2024 *******************

JUDGMENT

P. Kumararatnam, J.

The above-named Accused-Appellants (hereinafter referred to as the Appella