IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA In the matter of an Appeal in terms of 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: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka CA/HCC/0046/22 COMPLAINANT High Court of Panadura Vs.

Case No. HC/3536/2017 Liyana Arachchige Lesli Wijesekara alias Liya Arachchige Lesli Wijesekara No. 83/1, Koslanda, Halthota.

ACCUSED AND NOW BETWEEN Liyana Arachchige Lesli Wijesekara alias Liya Arachchige Lesli Wijesekara No. 83/1, Koslanda, Halthota.

ACCUSED-APPELLANT Vs.

The Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12.

RESPONDENT Before : Sampath B. Abayakoon, J.

: P. Kumararatnam, J.

Counsel : Ershan Ariaratnam for the Accused-Appellant : Chathurangi Mahawaduge, S.C. for the Respondent Argued on : 26-06-2023 Written Submissions : 23-06-2023 (By the Respondent)

: 05-07-2022 (By the Accused-Appellant)

Decided on : 13-09-2023 Sampath B. Abayakoon, J.

This is an appeal by the accused-appellant (hereinafter referred to as the appellant) being aggrieved by his conviction and the sentence of th