BASL issues statement on the pardoning of the Royal Park killer

Colombo (News 1st): Issuing a press release, the bar association of Sri Lanka has drawn its attention to a pardon granted by the President to Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, a prisoner who was convicted for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson on the 1st of July 2005. The release points out, as per article 34 of the constitution of Sri Lanka, the president must call for a report from the judge who tried in a case where the offender has been condemned to suffer death. The BASL points out that such a report is required to be forwarded to the attorney general for advice, and the proviso also requires the attorney general's opinion to be referred to the minister of justice who is required to submit a recommendation to the president. While appreciating the fact that the president has the powers to grant a pardon to a convicted prisoner, the executive committee of the Bar Association is of the view that such powers should not be exercised arbitrarily or in a selective manner. The BAR association of Sri Lanka maintains that if any of the considerations outlined by the BASL have not being satisfied in the current case, the pardon granted to  Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha would be unreasonable.