Investigations are underway to trace Royal Park convict - AG

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that investigations have been launched to trace the whereabouts of Jude Shamantha Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death in connection with the Royal Park murder case.   
On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a Presidential pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha was arbitrary and invalid in law. The Court further directed the Attorney General and all relevant authorities to take the necessary steps to arrange Jayamaha’s extradition, as he is considered a convict on death row.   
During the hearing of a Fundamental Rights petition challenging former President Sirisena’s decision to grant the Presidential pardon, a Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Shiran Goonaratne and Priyantha Fernando was informed by State Counsel appearing for the Attorney General that investigations have been initiated to locate Jude Jayamaha with assistance from Interpol.   
The Women & Media Collective organization had filed this Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of former President Sirisena’s decision to grant the Presidential pardon to the Royal Park murder convict. It was revealed that Jude Jayamaha fled the country shortly after receiving the pardon.   
On November 29, 2019, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha from leaving the country, without court permission. However, it was revealed that Jayamaha had left the country soon after the Presidential pardon was granted.