The Supreme Court yesterday ordered a notice to be issued to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding the presidential pardon granted to Army Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake, who was sentenced to death for killing eight civilians, including a small child, in Mirusuvil, Jaffna, in 2000.
Additionally, a notice was ordered to be sent to Army Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake, instructing him to present facts regarding the incident.
The petition was filed by Centre for Policy Alternatives Executive Director Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu. Although the death sentence imposed by the High Court was upheld by the Supreme Court, the convict was pardoned during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency. The notice was issued to former President Rajapaksa in response to a request made by the petitioner when a petition against the amnesty of the army officer was called.
The petition was called before a Supreme Court Bench consisting of Yasantha Kodagoda and Achala Wengappuli.
