Pardoned assassin at President’s event

2016-01-09

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday granted a special presidential pardon to ex-LTTE member Sivarasa Jeginadan, who attempted to kill him in Polonnaruwa.
Jeginadan's attendance at the BMICH event commemorating Sirisena's Presidential Election victory was the backdrop against which the President shook hands with the youngster and granted him a pardon in person too.

Counsel U.R. de Silva who appeared Thursday for Sivarasa Jeginadan who was earlier sentenced to 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for an attempt to assassinate President Sirisena, submitted to the Court of Appeal that he had come to know that President Sirisena had decided to extend a Presidential pardon to his client. Counsel stated this before the Bench comprising Court of Appeal President Vijith Malalgoda and Justice Devika de Livera Tennakoon. He added his client was found guilty in the Colombo High Court of attempting to assassinate the President on 1 May 2006 and on 23 April 2006.

He appealed against the sentence and fine because the President had decided to extend to his client a special presidential pardon. Counsel said he was hence withdrawing his appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Deputy Solicitor General A.H.M. Navavi told Court that he had no objection to the withdrawal of the appeal.