Presidential pardon in Royal Park murder case: SC concludes hearing and reserves judgement

• The Fundamental Rights petition was filed by the Women & Media Collective organization

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Supreme Court yesterday concluded hearing and reserved its judgement in the Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant Presidential Pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don. Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha.  

Accordingly, the Supreme Court would deliver its judgement regarding 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.  

The Women & Media Collective organization had filed this Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of former President Sirisena’s decision to grant Presidential Pardon to the Royal Park murder convict.  
The Women & Media Collective organization filed this Fundamental Rights petition naming 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 Bar Association of Sri Lanka as respondents.  

The petitioners are further seeking an order to issue guidelines governing the grant of Presidential Pardon by the Head of State in terms of article 34 (1) of the Constitution.   

Jude Anthony Jayamaha was indicted before the High Court by 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.