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President pondering pardon for Royal Park murder convict

21 October 2019 11:07 pm - 23     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said his attention has been drawn towards a request made by Royal Park murder convict Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha's party seeking a presidential pardon.

The President expressed these views while addressing the 3rd summit of the National Youth Model UN held in Colombo on Sunday.

While highlighting the importance of the youth practising tolerance and patience, President Sirisena said tolerance was an essential quality in the youth when undertaking responsibilities and fulfilling duties.

“No one knows what will happen if there is no patience. I hope you remember an incident involving two youths at the Royal Park housing complex several years ago. That boy was 19 years old. He had an argument with the girl and the girl ended up being killed. Today, that boy has done a doctorate as well and I believe he is 32 years old now. The party of the child who is in prison over the Royal Park incident has requested me to release him under a presidential pardon. I am contemplating on this because he has served his term on good behaviour. He went to prison at the age of 19 over an incident of impatience,” the President said.

President Sirisena commented on how he practised tolerance when he was a schoolboy and recalled an incident where he was hit by a broomstick by one of his friends over a brawl they had the previous day.

"I was cycling and I fell down with all the books. I didn’t fight back and went to school as I was supposed to. When I was a minister and in parliament, the friend who attacked me with a broomstick came to me asking for a job for his child. The broom-incident came to my mind right away but I found a good job for that child. That’s how I treated him. The royal park story, the broom-stick attack and others highlight the importance of tolerance. What matters most is leading a disciplined life and maintaining good conduct following a good education,” he told youth delegates.

The court imposed the death sentence on Shramantha in 2012 over the 2005 murder of Swedish national Yvonne Johnson at the Royal Park Condominium.

 


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  Comments - 23

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  • S. P.Ramkumar Monday, 21 October 2019 11:44 PM

    Yes sir, Incident was unjustifiable because stimulation if intolerance gone highly. I hope this punishment is enough to him. Pleade release him.

    Independent Observer Tuesday, 22 October 2019 12:02 AM

    Now this guy is trying to be a goody , goody guy . Let the court's verdict stand . Why the hell should the President intervene ? !!

    s.vaidy Tuesday, 22 October 2019 06:20 AM

    Presidential pardon for court convicts should be withdrawn from Presidential powers

    Ras Tuesday, 22 October 2019 06:20 AM

    Then there are many more who deserve these types of Pardon for their sin which they done because of their impatience. Why this is for only one person. Maybe because his parents got connections to people on top.

    Sunil Tuesday, 22 October 2019 06:26 AM

    Is this the Yahapalanaya that was promised? This was a gruesome and ghastly murder committed by a good for nothing scoundrel whose only asset was money. On one hand the president speaks of sending drug offenders to the gallows. Now he speaks of granting a pardon to a murderer. Why double standards.

    Wasp Tuesday, 22 October 2019 06:32 AM

    Mr. President, do you not have any compassion towards the Victim's rights. Every time you go abroad and return some criminal gets a pardon!!!

    Mm Tuesday, 22 October 2019 06:33 AM

    President hope you are thinking straight. Hypothetically If your daughter was murdered would you be considering releasing the killer?? Think of the victim who can’t be brought back

    DillonDP Tuesday, 22 October 2019 06:46 AM

    Thought what happened was tragic and loss. Jude never intended the evening would end as such. I hope least he has turned him to a good man. Hope the grieving family would forgive him. He did indeed serve his time

    sajith Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:00 AM

    Good Move/ cant it be an accident /there were no witnesses

    Raja Senanayake Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:22 AM

    Please dont undermine our justice system by your supposed compassion to the guilty party. Justice must be done if society is to survive and that is why the State mechanism for justice has functioned independently. Pardon is only for those genuinely regretting their decision and willing to compensate the victim at least financially although all losses are not capable of monetary compensation.

    Raja Senanayake Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:24 AM

    What matters most is justice to be meted out by the State

    Sl Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:25 AM

    The incident was situational still a murder is a murder, period! Pardoning him with the consent of the deceased girls family is the best moral punishment for him. if not, we will set a wrong precedent. pulling all such stunts now due to the election is not appropriate...sir...

    ranjith udugama Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:30 AM

    Why this sudden pardon ? What about the family of the brutally murdered foreign girl? What is the impression to the international world ? Also what is the proof of the prinoners degrees?

    Terrence Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:32 AM

    Yes the President has thought of the correct decision let the person who has not lost his impatience during his youth cast the first stone whilst this individual has made tremendous effort in going the right way by obtaining his Doctorate in Prison which will give him a broader perspective of life

    country man Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:42 AM

    I feel that it was not planned, but an accident. He has paid for his mistakes due to quick temper. I fully agree with you sir,he should be RELEASED.

    Jude Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:49 AM

    No Pardon for The murder convict till he complete 25 years in Jail !!!

    Jude Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:50 AM

    Huh, Money can buy freedom for Wealthy!!!

    SL Tuesday, 22 October 2019 07:54 AM

    Better get the opinion from Victims family

    Nikan- Sena Tuesday, 22 October 2019 08:00 AM

    We also know how you set fire to paddy fields!!!

    S Ingram Tuesday, 22 October 2019 10:28 AM

    I wonder if it was your daughter who was killed, would you have felt the same.

    Hugh jay Tuesday, 22 October 2019 10:49 AM

    Dear president you have no right to release a convicted murderer . If the victim was your daughter Would you consider to release him ?

    Gunatilake Tuesday, 22 October 2019 10:56 AM

    When is Duminda going to get pardon?

    Andrew P Wednesday, 23 October 2019 09:57 PM

    I smell similarity in this pardon lethargy to take illegal action for killing/rape of British citizens at Tangalle during MR time


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