Maithripala tells SC Royal Park case compensation paid

March 11, 2025 at 1:03 PM

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has informed the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that he has settled the Rs. 01 million compensation to the victims of the Royal Park murder case, as previously ordered by the court.

The court was informed in this regard after Maithripala Sirisena had appeared in court today. 

The Supreme Court judge bench then ordered Maithripala Sirisena’s lawyer to present the details via a motion. 

Maithripala Sirisena had arrived in court shortly after a notice was issued to him ordering him to show cause for his failure to settle the Rs. 01 million compensation to the victims of the Royal Park murder case.

Last year, the Supreme Court ordered Maithripala Sirisena to pay compensation as his decision to grant a Presidential Pardon to the convict of the Royal Park murder case had violated the fundamental rights of the victims.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena was ordered to settle the compensation within one month of the court ruling. 

However, when the case was taken up for hearing earlier today, the lawyer representing the victims informed the court that the former president had failed to settle the ordered compensation, prompting the court to issue a notice to him.

The case surrounds the Presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha who was sentenced to death for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson at the Royal Park condominium complex in Rajagiriya in 2005. 

Former President Maithripala Sirisena had granted a presidential pardon to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha in 2019.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court quashed the order of former President Maithripala Sirisena to grant a presidential pardon, stating it violated the Constitution. (Newswire)