The Supreme Court has overturned former President Maithripala Sirisena's Presidential pardon granted to Royal Park murder convict, Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, citing arbitrariness and legal invalidity.
Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Janak de Silva declared the pardons unconstitutional, stating that they violated both the petitioner's Fundamental Rights and the public trust doctrine.
The Women & Media Collective organization filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of Sirisena's decision. Consequently, the Court ordered authorities to take necessary legal steps regarding Jude Jayamaha's sentence implementation.
President's Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Counsel Rukshan Senadheera and Ranmali Meepagala appeared for the petitioner. President's Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the victims. 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.
