Presidential pardon granted by Maithri : Royal Park murderer missing

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has been informed that investigations are underway to locate Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, who was convicted of murder at the Royal Park apartment in Colombo. 

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court in this regard yesterday (Dec 19).

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court quashed the order of former President Maithripala Sirisena to grant a presidential pardon to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, stating it was in violation of the Constitution.

The court had also ordered the Attorney General to brief the court on the measures taken to bring back the wanted suspect, who had fled the country following the Presidential pardon.

When the case was taken up for hearing yesterday, the Attorney General informed the court that measures have been taken to locate the suspect and the assistance of the INTERPOL has been sought in this regard.

The court was also informed that a probe has also been launched into the transactions of the suspect’s bank accounts. 

The Supreme Court thereafter fixed the case for hearing on 12 March 2025, ordering the Attorney General to update the court on the investigations. 

Jude Shramantha Jayamaha was sentenced to death for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson at the Royal Park Condominium complex in Rajagiriya in 2005.

He was initially sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2012 but was later convicted of murder by the Court of Appeal. 

The Supreme Court after that sentenced him to death over the murder incident. However, former President Maithripala Sirisena granted him a presidential pardon in 2019. (Islandnews)