The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that investigations have begun to locate Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death in connection with the infamous Royal Park murder case. This comes after the Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling, which declared that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a Presidential pardon to Jayamaha was arbitrary and legally invalid.
In addition to invalidating the pardon, the Court directed the Attorney General and relevant authorities to take immediate steps for Jayamaha’s extradition, as he is a convicted criminal on death row. The case came to light after the Women and Media Collective filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of the Presidential pardon.
During the court session, a three-judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Shiran Goonaratne, and Proyantha Fernando was informed by the State Counsel that investigations had commenced to track down Jayamaha, with support from Interpol.
It was revealed that Jayamaha fled the country shortly after receiving the pardon. Although the Supreme Court had issued an interim order preventing him from leaving without court permission, Jayamaha managed to leave the country soon after the pardon was granted. The authorities are now focused on locating him and arranging his return to face justice.
