The Court of Appeal today directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to allow death sentenced MP elect Premalal Jayasekera to attend Parliament sittings.
An issue had arisen after Jayasekara, who is currently in remand, had failed to attend Parliament sittings on 20 August, despite prison officials being instructed to escort him to Parliament.
According to parliament sources Premalal Jayasekara was not allowed to attend Parliament as necessary permission was not granted by prison authorities.
The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Parliament has thereafter informed the Commissioner General of Prisons to make arrangements for MP Jayasekara to attend Parliamentary sittings scheduled for the following day (21) and 27th & 28th August 2020.
However, the Attorney General (AG) had informed the Secretary General of Parliament and the Ministry of Justice that MP Premalal Jayasekera who has been sentenced to death cannot take a seat in parliament or exercise his vote.
The AG had issued the instruction after advise was sought by the Commissioner General of Prisons on the order issued by Speaker of the House Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Friday (28).
The AG said under the law, even though Premalal Jayasekara has appealed against his death sentence only the carrying out of the death sentence is stayed not his conviction.
Desite the AG’s clarification, the Speaker had thereafter ordered the Commissioner General of Prisons to take necessary measures to escort Jayasekara for Parliament sittings scheduled for 08 September.
In July, the Ratnapura High Court sentenced to death Premalal Jayasekara on charges of murdering another individual in Kahawatte in 2015.
However, Jayasekara had contested the General Elections on 05 August and had obtained a majority of votes to emerge as the second highest in the district. (Newswire)
The post Court grants permission for death sentenced Premalal Jayasekara to attend Parliament appeared first on NewsWire.
from News – NewsWire https://ift.tt/2R3XU3b