Maithripala Sirisena Pays Compensation for Royal Park Murder Convict's Pardon

In a landmark legal development, former President Maithripala Sirisena has paid a compensation of 100 million rupees to the convicted murderer, Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling. This payment has led to his release from further legal proceedings.

Today, Sirisena appeared before the Supreme Court in relation to a petition filed about the presidential pardon he had granted to Jayamaha, the convict in the infamous Royal Park murder case. The Court had ordered Sirisena's appearance following the controversy surrounding the pardon, which led to Jayamaha's release despite having been sentenced to death for the brutal murder in 2005.

According to Sirisena's legal representatives, the compensation payment was made in March 2025, fulfilling the conditions set by the Court. However, new information presented raised doubts about whether the payment had been made in full, prompting the Court to issue a directive on April 29, 2025. Sirisena was ordered to clarify why no punishment had been imposed for this discrepancy.

Full Compensation

Following the Court's directive, Sirisena's attorney, Faizer Mustapha, informed the Court that the full compensation amount had indeed been paid, and was asked to notify the Court formally through proper legal channels.

In November 2020, former Member of Parliament Ranjan Ramanayake made explosive revelations regarding the incident, stating that a bribe of three million rupees was initially offered in connection with the case, later increased to five million rupees. Jayamaha, the son of a garment factory owner, was involved in the murder of a woman in the Royal Park building. It was alleged that he had killed her in the presence of two young women. Later, the accused was allegedly offered a deal that involved giving three million rupees to influential religious figures and five million rupees to President Sirisena in exchange for a pardon.

The controversial pardon granted by Sirisena to Jayamaha had faced widespread criticism, particularly from the victim’s family, who strongly opposed the decision. Jayamaha had originally been sentenced to death for the murder, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.

However, Sirisena's pardon in 2019 led to Jayamaha’s release, a decision that was later overturned by the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds. As a result, Sirisena was ordered to pay the 100 million rupees in compensation, and Jayamaha was reincarcerated.

Today’s court proceedings marked the resolution of one chapter in this ongoing legal saga. However, the case continues to spark debates regarding the powers of the presidency, the judicial process, and the issue of pardons.

The legal complexities surrounding the power of presidential pardons have been scrutinized more closely following this case. It sets a crucial precedent for future decisions, particularly those involving high-profile cases like the Royal Park murder. The episode underscores the need for careful consideration of the ethical and societal implications when granting pardons, especially when they involve controversial figures whose actions have caused significant harm.

While Sirisena’s compensation payment has satisfied the legal requirements of the case, the emotional and social toll of the Royal Park murder continues to resonate with the public. This case has sparked widespread discussions on Sri Lanka's legal system, the rule of law, and the pursuit of justice, becoming a central topic in national debates on criminal justice and the use of executive power.