Maithri's presidential pardon, becoming more and more perplex -- "Pardon us also" demanded -- "I didn't say" .. bishop Raymond says

Maithri's presidential pardon, becoming more and more perplex -- "Pardon us also" demanded -- "I didn't say" .. bishop Raymond says

Receiving presidential pardon extra-ordinarily for business-son Shrimantha Jude who was imposed death sentence and was posted in prison for having committed the murder of a 19 year old young girl by strangling her and after crushing her skull had finally pushed her down from the balcony in Rajagiriya Royal Park housing complex became a serious matter of discussion during the recent past. 

Deceased Yvonne's sister Carolyn made allegations this pardoning was something that happened as a
consequence of money and power. Directing a message what she said was that even when the court case was in progress, the Jayamaha family had resorted to free the accused by making various influences and that under their powers has managed to obtain presidential pardon after the accused was imprisoned. 

In the meantime, this incident paved the way for a dialogue to erupt among scholars and lawyers of  the country while JVP member Bimal Rathnayaka and minister Ajith P. Perera have yesterday (11) spoken condemning the president's decision at parliamentary sessions. This presidential pardon was subjected to corruption by Anura Kumara Dissanayaka by joining in a rupavahini programme. 

In the meantime, two inmates of Welikada prison have climbed the prison building and engaged in a protest expressing opposition against extending presidential pardon to the Royal Park offender. Simultaneously demanded pardon for them too. In the meantime president's media unit released a press release saying that this decision was arrived at on instructions of several religious leaders. What was mentioned there was Athureliye Rathana thero has taken steps to make parents of this young person and his relatives meet the president and that a lengthy discussion has taken place about this matter. It was further mentioned there that having taken into consideration that this criminal called Shrimantha Jude Anthony has comported himself well without any complaint against him while in prison, has completed his external degree successfully while still behind bars subsequent to which he is undergoing studies relevant to his doctorate and is seen that this young man was someone who possesses a fine personality and is an intelligent person, he was thus pardoned. 

Further, it was stated in the press release that Baddegama Samitha thero, Keradewala Pugnarathana thero, Balangoda Buddhaghosha thero, bishop Raymond Wickremasinghe, attorney at law Mahesh Madawala, attorney at law Nalani Manathunga, attorney at law Nilruk Weliwaththa Ihalakathrige, attorney at law Kumudu Nanayakkara; social service development foundation of Weliwaththa Wijayananda Vihara, Nawa jeewana amadyapa hayanadi civil society of Rumassala have requested president to grant pardon to Shrimantha Jude. 

Before 24 hours elapsed since this announcement was released, Rt. Revd. cardinal Raymond Wickremasinghe of the diocese of Galle of whose name was in the list above has mentioned that he has not made any request to give presidential pardon on behalf of the accused. The common plea made from president Maithripala Sirisena sometime back to rehabilitate and provide a proper education has been in this instance exaggerated in an undue manner, he has stated. 

In the meantime, presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has posted a comment in his Twitter account today (12) condemning president Maithri for pardoning the Royal Park killer. It is further explained that because of this decision of the president, the family of the young girl has been subjected to injustice and that the power to grant pardon on a presidential level is an instance of misusing powers.