SC issues open warrant for arrest of Premalal Jayasekara

The Supreme Court today (21) issued an open warrant for the arrest of former State Minister Premalal Jayasekara after he failed to appear before court in connection with a case relating to a fatal shooting during the 2015 Presidential Election campaign.

The Supreme Court ordered that the warrant be issued through the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take all necessary steps to ensure its prompt execution.

The Court also ordered that the two other defendants who appeared before court today be remanded in custody.

The case relates to a shooting incident at an election campaign rally held in Kahawatta in support of then-presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena during the 2015 Presidential Election, which resulted in the death of an individual.

The Ratnapura High Court had previously sentenced Jayasekara and two other defendants to death after finding them guilty in connection with the incident.

However, the Court of Appeal subsequently overturned the convictions and ordered the acquittal and release of all three defendants.

An appeal was later filed before the Supreme Court by the aggrieved party challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision.

The Supreme Court concluded the hearing of the appeal on September 4 and issued notices directing all three defendants to appear before court today.

However, Jayasekara failed to appear, with Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informing the Court that the former State Minister was overseas.

After considering the submissions, the three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga ordered the issuance of the open warrant. (Newswire)

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