The Supreme Court has fixed September 3 to hear the Attorney General’s special appeal against a 2020 ruling that quashed murder charges against former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon. The case relates to a 1999 fatal shooting of a youth in Matale.
Janaka Bandara Charged with Murder: Supreme Court to Hear Special Appeal on September 3
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has scheduled September 3 to consider a special appeal petition filed by the Attorney General in a high-profile case involving former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon.
This petition challenges a decision by the Court of Appeal which, in 2020, quashed an indictment filed by the Attorney General before the Kandy High Court. The original indictment charged Tennakoon with the 1999 murder of an 18-year-old youth and attempted murder in the Dambulgamuwa area of Matale.
The special appeal petition, presented by the Attorney General, was called before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Jagath de Silva, Mahinda Samayawardena, and Sobitha Rajakaruna.
Appearing on behalf of the former minister, President’s Counsel Navin Marapana informed the court that Tennakoon is currently suffering from a serious medical condition and is unable to walk, implying challenges in appearing before the court.
Meanwhile, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara, representing the Attorney General, requested the court to allocate a future date in order to confirm the facts related to the petition.
The case dates back to 1999, when then-Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon was accused of fatally shooting an 18-year-old youth and attempting to murder another individual in Matale. Following years of legal proceedings, the Court of Appeal in 2020 accepted a petition from Tennakoon, ruling that the indictment was legally flawed. The court issued a writ order invalidating the charges.
However, the Attorney General has now filed a special appeal with the Supreme Court, arguing that the Court of Appeal’s decision was itself contrary to law and should be overturned to allow the case to proceed in the Kandy High Court.
This case has drawn widespread attention due to its political and historical significance, involving a sitting minister during the alleged incident and reflecting broader concerns over the intersection of justice and political power in Sri Lanka.
The Supreme Court’s decision on September 3 is expected to be pivotal in determining whether the former minister will face a fresh trial in connection with the 1999 murder.
