In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled to invalidate the presidential pardon granted by former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to release former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva. Silva had been sentenced to death in connection with the murder of Bharata Lakshman Premachandra.

The three-judge bench, led by Mr. Preethi Padman Surasena, made this significant ruling after considering petitions submitted by Sumana Premachandra (Bharata Lakshman's wife), Hirunika Premachandra (daughter), and Ghazali Hussain (a former commissioner of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission).

Following the decision, the Supreme Court has instructed the Commissioner General of Prisons to take immediate steps to execute the sentence imposed on Duminda Silva. This verdict marks a crucial development in the legal proceedings surrounding this high-profile case.