SC bars Jayamaha from leaving country

Saturday, 30 November 2019 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SC issues interim order preventing overseas travel for Jayamaha who was released on presidential pardon
Interim order in place till 11 December
SC order made after considering FR petition filed by women’s rights group
Presidential pardon drew criticism from victims’ family and civil society

The Supreme Court yesterday issued an interim order directing the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Royal Park murder convict Shramantha Jude Jayamaha, who was released on a presidential pardon, from leaving the country until 11 December.

The Order was made when the Court took up for consideration the Fundamental Rights petition filed by a women’s rights organisation seeking an interim order staying and suspending the presidential pardon granted to Jayamaha. The petitioner also sought an interim order directing the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to immediately impound or cancel the passport of Jude Anthony Jayamaha.

Women and Media Collective organisation filed the FR petition naming the Attorney General, Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, the Commissioner General of Prisons, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, the Acting Inspector General of Police, the Justice Minister and the President of Bar Association of Sri Lanka as respondents.

The petitioner is also seeking an order to issue guidelines governing the grant of presidential pardon by the Head of State in terms of article 34 (1) of the Constitution.

The bench comprised Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, PC, Justice Vijith Kumara Malalgoda PC and Justice Gamini Amarasekara.

Jude Anthony Jayamaha was serving a life sentence for committing the murder of 19-year-old Yvonne Jonsson in July 2015. He was granted a pardon by former President Maithripala Sirisena last month, which has drawn criticism from both the victim’s family as well as civil society at large.