Women & Media Collective vs. Hon. Attorney General and Don. Shamantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha et al. (Royal Park Murder) – SC FR 446/2019-2024

In Women & Media Collective v. Maithripala Sirisena and Others, the Supreme Court addressed the legality of two presidential pardons granted to Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, initially sentenced to death for murder. The legal issues concerned whether the pardons were issued in compliance with procedural requirements under Article 34(1) of the Constitution, including obtaining the trial judge’s report, proper advice from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and giving notice to victims per the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act. Both pardons—first, commuting a death sentence, and second, granting release—were challenged as ultra vires and violating the fundamental right to equality under Article 12(1). The Court found that the procedural failu