Authorities yet to locate Royal Park convict - AG

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that authorities have yet to trace the whereabouts of Jude Shamantha Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death in connection with the Royal Park murder case. Therefore, the CID has launched an investigation to locate him.   
State Counsel Sajith Bandara, appearing for the Attorney General, informed the Supreme Court that Jayamaha had initially travelled to Singapore. However, he told court that Singaporean authorities have confirmed that the convict is not residing there at present. Bandara said that the CID is in the process of obtaining warrants to be executed through Interpol.   
The State Counsel made this revelation during the hearing of a Fundamental Rights petition challenging former President Sirisena’s decision to grant a Presidential pardon to Jude Shamantha Jayamaha. The petition was taken up before the Court to evaluate the progress of implementing the court order. 

Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered the CID to submit a confidential report on the progress of the investigation into the whereabouts of Jude Shamantha Jayamaha.   
At approximately 10 a.m. yesterday, the Supreme Court issued notices to former President Sirisena, requiring him to show cause for his failure to pay the compensation. The order was issued after considering the facts presented before the Court. At that time, former President Sirisena was not represented by a lawyer.   
However, shortly after the order was delivered, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, appearing for the former President, informed the Court that his client had allegedly made the payment. The Supreme Court then directed the President’s Counsel to formally present these facts by filing a motion.   
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Janak de Silva, fixed the matter for April 29.   
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Counsel Rukshan Senadheera appeared for the petitioner. Saliya Peiris PC appeared for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.   
On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a Presidential pardon to Royal Park murder convict Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha was arbitrary and invalid in law. The Court further directed the Attorney General and all relevant authorities to take the necessary steps to arrange Jayamaha’s extradition, as he is considered a convict on death row.   
The Women & Media Collective organization had filed this Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of former President Sirisena’s decision to grant the Presidential pardon to the Royal Park murder convict. It was revealed that Jude Jayamaha fled the country shortly after receiving the pardon.   
On November 29, 2019, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to prevent Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha from leaving the country, without court permission. However, it was revealed that Jayamaha had left the country soon after the Presidential pardon was granted.