Former President Maithripala Sirisena has paid the Rs. 1 million in compensation, which was ordered to be paid following the quashing of the Presidential pardon granted to the convict in the Royal Park murder case, his lawyers have informed the Supreme Court (SC).

A three-Judge bench of the SC, which had previously considered the facts presented that the compensation had not been paid, issued an order yesterday (11) directing that notice be issued to Sirisena. The notice required him to appear before Court on 29 April and show cause as to why he should not be punished for failing to comply with the Court’s order.

This order stems from the quashing of the Presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, who was sentenced to death for the Royal Park murder case. Last year (2024), the SC delivered a verdict ordering Sirisena to pay Rs. 1 million in compensation within one month for violating fundamental human rights. 

When the case was taken up for consideration yesterday, President’s Counsel (PC) Sanjeewa Jayawardena, representing the petitioner, informed the Court that Sirisena had yet to pay the specified compensation amount.

However, shortly after the order was issued, Faiszer Musthapha PC, representing Sirisena, informed the Court that his client had made the relevant payment.

Accordingly, the bench then directed Musthapha to submit this information to the Court through a formal motion.