Premalal Jayasekara travel ban was imposed after he had already left Sri Lanka for Thailand on August 31, according to findings by the CID.
The Premalal Jayasekara travel ban ordered by the Supreme Court came after the former SLPP Deputy Minister had already left Sri Lanka, the Criminal Investigation Department has revealed.
The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Jayasekara and two other individuals to appear before court on October 21. It also imposed overseas travel restrictions on all three.
The three had previously been convicted by the Ratnapura High Court in connection with a murder. However, the Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted them.
The latest Supreme Court proceedings arose from an appeal filed by Shantha Dodangoda, the wife of the victim, challenging that acquittal.
Premalal Jayasekara Travel Ban Came Too Late
When the CID moved to implement the Supreme Court travel restriction, investigators discovered that Jayasekara was no longer in Sri Lanka.
According to the CID, he had departed for Thailand on August 31, before the court imposed the travel ban.
The CID subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of its findings.
The development means Jayasekara was already overseas when authorities attempted to activate the restriction following the Supreme Court order.
Alongside Jayasekara, former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Member Nilantha Jayasinghe and former Kahawatte Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Vajira Darshan de Silva had earlier received death sentences from the Ratnapura High Court.
The convictions related to a shooting incident in Kahawatte in 2015.
The shooting occurred at an election rally organised in support of then-presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
The Court of Appeal later acquitted the three, leading to the subsequent challenge before the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Hears Appeal Against Acquittal
A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga heard the appeal.
Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested the court to impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the two other respondents.
Presidents’ Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetti, U.R. de Silva and Anjua Premaratna represented the respondents.
Saliya Peiris, PC, appeared on behalf of the aggrieved party.
The Supreme Court has ordered Jayasekara, Jayasinghe and de Silva to appear before court on October 21 as proceedings over the challenge to their acquittal continue.
The CID’s disclosure that Jayasekara had already travelled to Thailand before the Premalal Jayasekara travel ban was issued now adds another significant development to the case.
