Presidential pardon likely for Harmer family assassins

Sunday, 12 August 2012

The Presidential Secretary it is learnt has inquired for recommendations from the Justice Ministry to make the necessary arrangements to grant a Presidential pardon to the two persons who have appealed against the death penalty issued on them for murdering three members of one family.

The President is to grant a pardon to Harrison Jayaweera and K.W.F. Sunil Shantha who are currently on death row for murdering the Harmer family (father, son and daughter) in Dehiwela on or around May 7, 2003.

The Justice Ministry has now called for the relevant case file from the Colombo High Court. Assistant Secretary (Legal) at the Justice Ministry Shamini Wijethunge has also called for the High Court judges order on the case as well.

The Presidential Secretary has called for the Justice Ministry’s recommendations on the case on May 29th.

However, the High Court Registrar has informed the Justice Ministry that the confidential report on the case had been handed over to the President’s office by former High Court Judge W.M.P.B. Warawewa soon after delivering the verdict.

The High Court has therefore said the confidential report was not available to be handed over to the Ministry.