Colombo, Sri Lanka – Former President Maithripala Sirisena appeared before the Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) yesterday, where he provided a statement during a nearly two-hour inquiry. The questioning was in connection to allegations that Sirisena accepted a bribe to grant a presidential pardon during his tenure.
The allegations stem from the 2019 pardon of Jude Samantha, who had been sentenced to death for the Royal Park murder of a Swedish national. Sirisena’s decision to release Samantha drew significant controversy at the time and has since been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The court recently annulled the pardon, raising further legal and ethical questions surrounding the former President’s actions.
The inquiry follows a formal complaint lodged with CIABOC, alleging that the pardon was influenced by bribery. While details of Sirisena’s statement remain undisclosed, the investigation marks a significant development in accountability for high-profile decisions made during his presidency.
The Royal Park murder case, which initially shocked the nation, continues to draw public attention, particularly in light of this new legal scrutiny over the use of presidential powers. CIABOC has yet to announce further actions following this questioning.
This incident adds to the broader debate on the accountability of executive powers in Sri Lanka and raises questions about potential reforms to prevent misuse of presidential pardons in the future.
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