24 July 2023 04:36 pm Views - 2448
The Supreme Court today concluded hearing and reserved its judgment in the Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a Presidential pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha.
The Supreme Court will deliver its judgment on this petition in due course.
The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda and Janak de Silva concluded the arguments put forward by both petitioner and respondent parties. The parties were directed to file their written submissions before August 25.
Women & Media Collective organization had filed this Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of former President Sirisena’s decision to grant a Presidential pardon to the Royal Park murder convict.
Women & Media Collective organization filed this Fundamental Rights petition naming the Attorney General, Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, Commissioner General of Prisons, Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Inspector General of Police, Justice Minister, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka as respondents.
The petitioners are further seeking an order to issue guidelines governing the grant of Presidential pardons by the Head of State in terms of Article 34 (1) of the Constitution.
Jude Anthony Jayamaha was indicted before the High Court by the Attorney-General for committing the murder of Yvonne Jonsson (who was 19 years of age at the time), on or about July 1, 2005 in terms of Section 294 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 296 of the Penal Code.
President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Counsel Rukshan Senadheera appeared for the petitioner. Faizer Mustapha PC appeared for former President Maithripala Sirisena. Saliya Peiris PC appeared for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)