Royal Park murder pardon issue : Rathana Thero goes to CID

June 23, 2022 at 3:39 PM

Parliamentarian Ven. Athureliya Rathana Thero has filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) calling for an inquiry into a recent statement made by former President Maithripala Sirisena. 

In an interview with local media, MP Sirisena said that an investigation had revealed that some person had taken money to ensure that a presidential pardon was granted to Royal Park murder convict Shramantha Jayamaha.

Shramantha Jayamaha was sentenced to death for the murder of Yvonne Jonsson at the Royal Park Condominium complex in Rajagiriya in 2005 and was granted a presidential pardon by former President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.

The former President more specifically said that Ven. Athureliya Rathana Thero had visited him along with the parents of Shramantha Jayamaha and had sought the latter’s release.

The former President said investigations had revealed that an exchange of money had occurred between the family of Shramantha and some person, hinting that it was someone linked to Ven. Athureliya Rathana Thero.

After filing a complaint with the CID, MP Rathana Thero said that a comprehensive investigation must be conducted into the former President’s claims. 

Refuting that he had primarily sought the release of Shramantha Jayamaha, Ven. Rathana Thero said it was a decision taken by a special board that included officials from the Prisons Department. 

He further added that the allegations being levelled at him in this regard were unfair. (NewsWire)