Further hearing of Sirisena’s case postponed

By Kamal Weeraratne

The Supreme Court (SC), yesterday, deferred further hearing of the petition filed against former President and SLPP MP Maithripala Sirisena, on granting a presidential pardon to convict Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, to 10 June.

Further hearing was deferred to the said date due to the SLPP MP not being present in Court. Jayamaha had been convicted over the Royal Park murder case.

The case was heard by a three-Judge Bench of the SC comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, L.T.B. Dehideniya, and Preethi Padman Surasena. The petitions filed by Attorneys Sanjeewa Jayawardene PC, Ruskshan Senadheera, and Manisha Dissanayake, said the respondent ex-President has begun to abscond from the SC.

The petitioners charged that the actions of the respondent MP had also prevented the stay order issued by the SC from being activated. They then urged the Bench to further extend the interim order, as the respondent continues to reside at his address.

The Court extended the interim order valid till the aforesaid date when the petition is next due to be taken up. Furthermore, Jayawardene PC prayed the SC to amend the portfolio of M.U.M. Ali Sabry, PC as the present Minister of Justice, after a reference had been made to him as the ex-Minister of Justice in the petition.

It was also revealed that the Attorney representing the respondent had also not been present in Court.