Presidential pardon for murder convict Duminda Silva

June 24, 2021

Murder convict and former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, released from the prisons under a special Presidential remission, granted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Silva was convicted for the murder of Former SLFP Parliamentarian Bharatha LakshmanPremachndra and imprisoned since 2016. During the 2011 local government elections, former Parliamentarian Bharatha LakshmanPremachndra and three others killed in a gun battle, which ensued between two political factions, while Duminda Silva sustained injuries and hospitalized. On the 15th of November 2011, a ColomboMagistrate ordered the arrest of Duminda Silva in connection with the killing of Premachandra. On the 8th of September 2016, the High Court of Sri Lanka found Silva and four of his associates guilty of murder and sentenced to death. The three-judge High Court –at –Bar was divided in its decision. Two of the judges, High Court Judge Padmini Ranawake and High Court Judge Charith Morias found all five accused were guilty of murder. However, High Court Judge Shiran Gooneratne acquitted all the suspects of all charges. The Trial-at-bat High Court decision was later canvassed before the Supreme Court. A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Nalin Perera and Vijith Malalgoda, rejected the appeal and reaffirmed the conviction unanimously on the 11th of October 2018. President’s Counsel Anil Silva appeared for; Duminda Silva and Senior Counsel Asoka Weerasooriya Anuja Premaratne PC NalinIndatissa PC, Nalin Weerakoon, and AselaRekawa appeared for the other accused. Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudaligeappeared for the prosecution. Duminda Silva, a Provincial Council member of the UNP later crossed over the UPFA led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Presidential pardon for murder convict Duminda Silva

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