President’s power misused to release Duminda: SJB urges to reverse the decision

Samagi Jana Balawegaya urged the government to reverse the decision made to grant a presidential pardon to former MP Duminda Silva today.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the decision should be reversed as it seems that President has misused his powers to release a person who was found guilty by the Supreme court's and Court of Appeal. " Even the BAR association has expressed its concern about this decision," Mr. Madduma Bandara said.

" One has to note that release of Mr. Silva affected victims who were murdered in 2011. Also reversing a court decision is an attack on the independence of judicery,," he added.

Meanwhile the Frontline  Socialist Party Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda said pardon given to former MP is not an issue which one should get angry about. It is merely a class issue as this had proved  justice is meted out to high class people and low class people is different. " One wonders as to what would happen to others who were found guilty by the same case," he said. (Yohan Perera)