Hirunika expresses views over possible Presidential pardon for Duminda Silva

Former parliamentarian Duminda Silva could be granted a presidential pardon on February 04 in keeping with independence day, MP Hirunika Premachandra said today (Jan 22).

Delivering an address in Parliament, MP Premachandra added that if the President does so, it would be in conflict with his campaign to eradicate the usage of narcotics.

She claimed that a campaign is underway to obtain the signatures of the people in Colombo in order to demand the release of Duminda Silva. On the same lines, she added that sufficient evidence was available to prove that this campaign is being carried out under the instructions of the President.

"If the President has decided to release Duminda Silva, then it must apply to other inmates as well" she argued while adding that she was not making these remarks on a personal basis due to her father's murder, and instead it was a social problem.

The UNP parliamentarian then regretted supporting President Sirisena at the presidential polls on January 08, 2015.

"I cannot believe that this President who violated the constitution will not pardon Duminda Silva" she remarked.

MP Premachandra then said that people generally become fedup of a President during the President's second term. However, President Maithripala Sirisena has earned the hatred of the people in his first term alone, she added.

Further, she said that the Attorney General and the Justice Minister must be consulted before granting presidential pardon.

"I believe that the Justice Minister has a backbone. She will not bow down to money" the UNP MP said.