Accordingly, five years of rigorous imprisonment were imposed on each accused. Subsequently,  the five accused filed appeals in the Court of Appeal against the conviction.   

During the trial, the father of the abductee identified the first accused, then ASP Douglas Pieris as a police officer who came with another police officer to his house which was situated at Delgoda. The father of the abductee had identified Doughlas Pieris at that instance as one of the persons who came to his house the previous night and took into custody his son, Rathnachandra Liyanage around 11.00 p.m.   

It was revealed during the evidence that Rathnachandra Liyanage was brought to Batalanda, after which he went missing.   

As Rathnachandra Liyanage was missing from the date of the incident, the father instituted proceedings before the Court of Appeal by way of an application of habeas corpus against the first accused and compensation was ordered to be paid by the Court in favour of the petitioner for the abduction of his son.   

In its judgement, Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Vikum Kaluarachchi and Menaka Wijesundera upheld the conviction and sentence against Douglas Peiris, Gamini Ratnayake, Ihala Panditha Gedara Jayaratne, Mahadurage Ranathunge and ordered to acquit the fifth accused Ranjith Jayasekara from the case.   

Nalin Ladduwahetty PC, with Kavithri Hirusha Ubeysekera appeared for the first accused. Senior Counsel Ranjan Mendis with Kavinda Priyankarage for the 2nd, 3rd and 5th accused. Senior Counsel Darshana Kuruppu with Tharushi Gamage for the 4th accused.