I wholeheartedly forgive Duminda - Hirunika

Ms. Hirunika Premachandra, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya's Ratmalana electorate organizer and a former Member of Parliament, stated yesterday (16) that she has wholeheartedly forgiven former Member of Parliament R. Duminda Silva, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Mr. Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

She made this statement while responding to questions raised by journalists when she appeared before the Colombo Aluthkade Magistrate's Court. She emphasized that Duminda Silva, who has been sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court, can only be freed through a presidential pardon, and although she does not possess such legal authority, she has forgiven him in her heart.

Ms. Hirunika Premachandra believes that the cycle of hatred created between her and Duminda Silva after her father's assassination should not be continued further. She pointed out that she now strongly believes in karma and that one reaps what one sows. She also said that she feels the current government and the President also believe in karma, given the way they operate. She stated that continuing the political conflicts that took place in Kolonnawa would accumulate negative karma for her next life, and remaining mentally trapped in this tragedy would be a great burden on her physical and mental health, therefore, freeing herself from these ties is her main objective.

Ms. Premachandra recalled that the presidential pardon granted to Duminda Silva, who was sentenced to death for the murder of four individuals in 2011, by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on June 24, 2021, could be revoked because it was granted unlawfully. She stated that she does not expect such a wrong decision from the current President and that she has nothing left to do in court for her father other than challenging a presidential pardon. Therefore, she further stated that whatever decision is made regarding Duminda Silva in the future, she will feel neither happiness nor sorrow about it.

Ms. Hirunika Premachandra firmly stated that there are no political or financial dealings between her and the media network owned by Duminda Silva's family. She said that she has no secret agreements related to the opposition alliance formed against the government and pointed out that the rumors circulating on social media that she forgave him for financial gain are completely false and are statements made by political orphans. She further stated to the media that no amount of compensation can fill the void created in her life by the loss of her father, and a lost life cannot be brought back.