‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban
By Norman Palihawadane The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday. The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce […]
Former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, also known as ‘Choka Malli’, evaded Sri Lanka’s travel ban by leaving the country for Thailand on August 31, according to the CID. The court-imposed ban came after the Supreme Court ordered Jayasekara and two others to appear before court on October 21, amidst an appeal challenging their acquittal for the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda.
The Supreme Court's decision was made as they reviewed an appeal raised by Dodangoda’s wife against the Court of Appeal’s acquittal and release of Jayasekara and the other accused, who had previously been sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court. Initially convicted for their roles in the shooting of Dodangoda, who was killed in January 2015, Jayasekara, Wajira Darshana de Silva, and Nilanta Jayakody had their sentences upheld by the Court of Appeal.
However, Dodangoda’s wife petitioned the Supreme Court to reconsider the acquittal. The CID informed the Attorney General’s Department upon learning of Jayasekara’s departure, expressing concerns over the ban’s enforcement and timing. Presidents Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, U.R. de Silva, and Anuja Premaratne represented the respondents, while Saliya Peiris spoke for the aggrieved party.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
