Sirisena Pays Rs 1 Mn Compensation in Royal Park Case

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has paid the Rs 1 million compensation ordered by the Supreme Court following the annulment of the presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, the convict in the Royal Park murder case.

Counsel for the Former President informed this to the court, via a motion.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (11) morning issued a notice to former President Maithripala Sirisena, requiring him to appear in court on April 29, and pertains to the non-payment of a compensation order related to the Royal Park murder case.

The Supreme Court's decision came after a petition filed by the Women and Media Collective was examined on June 6 of the previous year.

The court concluded that the pardon granted by Sirisena was unconstitutional and thus invalidated it.

The bench, which delivered the verdict, determined that the presidential pardon violated fundamental human rights.

Consequently, Sirisena was ordered to pay the compensation as a remedy for this violation.

During the hearing on Tuesday (11) morning, President's Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, representing the petitioners, informed the court that Sirisena had not yet paid the compensation.

The court summoned Sirisena to explain the reasons for his non-compliance and to present any arguments against potential penalties for failing to adhere to the court's order.

Jude Shramantha Jayamaha was convicted and sentenced to death by the Court of Appeal in 2012 for the murder of 19-year-old Yvonne Johnson at the Royal Park luxury apartment complex in Rajagiriya on June 30, 2005.

In 2019, Sirisena granted him a presidential pardon, which was later annulled by the Supreme Court on June 6 of 2024.