204.
| (1) When the court is ready to commence the trial the accused shall appear or be brought before it and the indictment shall be read and explained to him and he shall be asked whether he is guilty or not guilty of the not guilty of the offence charged guilty of the offence charged. |
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| (2)If the accused pleads guilty the plea shall be recorded on the indictment and he may be convicted thereon: |
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| (3) If the accused does not plead or if he pleads not guilty jurors shall be chosen to try the case as hereinafter provided. |
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| (4) If the accused pleads not guilty but states that he is willing to plead guilty to a lesser offence for he might have been convicted on that indictment and the prosecutor is willing to accept such plea, the Judge may if he thinks that the interests of justice will be satisfied by so doing order such plea of guilty to be recorded and may pass judgement thereon accordingly. There upon the accused shall be discharged of the offence laid in the indictment and such discharge shall amount to an acquittal. |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts