Petitions against presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera: SC grants leave to proceed

… Verdict on release of Royal Park killer due

The Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (04) granted leave to proceed with two Fundamental Rights violation petitions filed against the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara, the President of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

President Maithripala Sirisena pardoned the monk on 23 May, 2019. The petitioners are the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of missing Prageeth Ekneligoda, who disappeared on the eve of 2010 presidential election.

The monk was convicted of four contempt of court charges by the Court of Appeal on 08 August, 2018 and sentenced to 19 years rigorous imprisonment, to be completed within six years.

The SC granted leave to proceed with the petitions in terms of Article 12(1) of the Constitution.

The three-judge-bench of the SC comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda and Arjuna Obeysekera fixed the petitions for argument on 06 May next year.

In late July this year, the SC concluded hearing and reserved its judgement in the Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging ex-President Sirisena’s decision to grant a pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don. Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha.

The SC announced that its judgement would be issued in due course.

Three-judge-bench of the SC consisting of Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda and Janak de Silva concluded the arguments put forward by both petitioner and respondent parties. The parties were to furnish their written submissions before 25 August. The Women & Media Collective organization filed this Fundamental Rights petition.

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 01 July, 2005, in terms of Section 294 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 296 of the Penal Code. (SF)