The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization has recommended the release of former parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is currently on death row in connection with the assassination of former parliamentarian Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, according to internal government sources.
The Commission, after reviewing the evidence submitted before them, has indicated that the High Court, which handed down the conviction and punishment in September 2016, had the opportunity to acquit former MP Duminda Silva.
Accordingly, the Commission has recommended that former parliamentarian Duminda Silva be released on a presidential pardon, the sources said.
The Commission has issued these recommendations following a complaint filed by Duminda Silva's father, Lal Silva, which claimed that the death sentence handed down to former parliamentarian Duminda Silva in connection with the assassination of former parliamentarian Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was a political conspiracy.
The President appointed the Commission on January 09, 2020 and was chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Upali Abeyrathna. Other members of the Commission included retired Court of Appeal Judge Daya Chandrasiri Jayatilleke and retired IGP Chandra Fernando.
Accordingly, the Commission was empowered to look into the alleged political revenge on government officials, employees of state corporations, members of the armed forces and the police during the period from January 8, 2015, to November 16, 2019.
The report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization was handed over to the President on December 08, at the Presidential Secretariat. Government parliamentarians too had signed a petition, requesting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to pardon former MP Duminda Silva.
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