Sirisena defends decision to issue presidential pardon

The presidential pardon of convicted Royal Park murderer Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha was given following multiple appeals made by religious leaders, lawyers and former judges, the Presidential Secretariat said yesterday, defending President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision and listing MP Athuraliye Rathana Thero as a central figure in securing the pardon. 

Many religious leaders, former Supreme Court judges, lawyers, civil society leaders and youth leaders had made representations to President Sirisena, recommending that he consider granting a presidential pardon to 34-year-old Jayamaha, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson, which took place at Royal Park, Rajagiriya, the statement said. 

“MP Athuraliye Rathana Thero played a key role and coordinated in obtaining a presidential pardon for this youth. He had brought the parents and close relations of the youth to meet the President and offer a lengthy explanation of the background.”

Rathana Thero had also made a written appeal to the President, explaining that the murder took place due to an argument between Jayamaha and Jonsson over a love affair. He went on to emphasise that while serving his prison sentence, Jayamaha had demonstrated good behaviour and successfully complete his external degree and was now working towards a PhD, underscoring that he was an intelligent young man with a pleasant personality. Rathana Thero appealed that, considering these facts, a presidential pardon should be issued.

“Rathana Thero also appealed to the President to consider this in accordance with the Buddhist teachings of compassion.” 

Baddegama Samitha Thero too urged the President to pardon Jayamaha, labelling him an intelligent person who would be a good citizen in the future.

Dr. Keradewala Punnarathana Nayake Thero and Dwitheeya Adhikarana Sangha Nayake of Southern Sri Lanka had also asserted that the president should be sympathetic and consider granting Jayamaha a pardon as he had not indulged in any criminal activity prior to the murder. Balangoda Buddhagosha Thero also stressed the importance of granting Jayamaha a presidential pardon.

“When this crime took place, Shramantha Anthony Jude Jayamaha was a 19-year-old youth; considering that it was reported that the crime was committed due to sudden and uncontrolled anger and was not a pre-planned murder, considering his good conduct during his 15 years in prison, that he had completed his higher studies and is pursuing a PhD, that he is an intelligent person who has been rehabilitated and had not engaged in any wrongdoing during the period he was imprisoned, considering that he has the ability to serve the country as a good citizen and in other countries too such amnesty is given to prisoners, the President has decided to pardon Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha,” the statement said.