An Opportunity To Reverse Injustice

The Mirusuvil Massacre, Presidential pardon and FR Applications

- Dharshani Arulanandam Walgama

In the beginning of the month of March 2020, the news of former Army Staff Sergeant Sunil Rathnayake, who was convicted of the heinous Mirusuvil massacre, been granted a complete presidential pardon, especially at a time when Sri Lanka was battling an unknown and a formidable enemy in the form of Covid-19, came as a rude shock to all. Rathnayake, was convicted by a High Court Trial-at-Bar of the ruthless murders of eight civilians at the height of the civil war. The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the decision of the High Court Trial-at-bar, and affirmed the sentences imposed on the convict. The decision to grant a complete presidential pardon to a convict who had committed a grave and heinous war crime, met with strong criticism from both local and international civil society Organisations and concerned citizens of the country.

Human rights have come into existence as a result of human struggle that has spanned across the various epochs of history, and are ideally rooted in secular political philosophy that upholds equality and liberty of all individuals.

The verdict of the High Court Trial-at-Bar with reference to the Mirissuvul massacre and the Supreme Court determination on the appeal, hold great significance as examples of justice been served for the victims who have suffered grave human rights violations by armed forces during the civil war.