July 29, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General’s office has confirmed that an international red notice has been issued seeking the arrest of Don Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, the man convicted in the notorious Royal Park murder case, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that his Presidential pardon was legally unsound.
The revelation was made during a hearing before the Supreme Court, as part of ongoing proceedings to monitor compliance with a previous judgment. The case in question involves a Fundamental Rights petition that challenged former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a special pardon to Jayamaha, who had been convicted of the brutal 2005 killing of a young woman at a Colombo apartment complex and sentenced to death.
Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, a State Counsel informed the court that the red warrant—an Interpol mechanism requesting the arrest of fugitives for extradition—has now been secured. This marks a key development in the state’s efforts to locate and return Jayamaha to Sri Lanka, following the court’s directive earlier this year.
On June 06, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling declaring that the former President’s pardon was not only arbitrary but also legally invalid. The Court found that due process had been disregarded and instructed relevant authorities, including the Attorney General’s Department, to initiate extradition proceedings against Jayamaha, who is currently at large.
The matter returned to court to assess the implementation of the June order and to determine what concrete steps had been taken in pursuit of Jayamaha’s return. The announcement regarding the red warrant was welcomed as a sign that enforcement mechanisms were finally being activated.
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena, together with Counsel Rukshan Senadheera, represented the petitioner who brought the case before the court. Saliya Peiris PC, representing the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, was also present, signalling the legal profession’s vested interest in the integrity of the Presidential pardon process and the broader implications for rule of law.
The case has sparked considerable public interest, not only because of the high-profile nature of the original crime, but also due to widespread concerns over the perceived misuse of executive clemency powers. The court’s ruling and the subsequent move to secure Jayamaha’s extradition have been interpreted by legal analysts as a strong assertion of judicial oversight over executive actions, especially in matters involving grave criminal convictions.
The hearing has been adjourned, with the Supreme Court expected to review further updates on the extradition process in the coming months.
