''Duminda''s pardoning challenges sovereignty independence of judiciary'' The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revoke the pardoning of former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva who was sentenced to death. A statement undersigned by the party General Secretary, Parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara said sovereignty and independence of the countrys judiciary has been challenged through the Presidential Pardon granted to Duminda Silva. The SJB said the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has also questioned if the President followed proper procedures in granting pardon. The statement said, it raises a serious issue regarding the governance of the country if a sentence imposed by a three-judge bench of the High Court, which was then confirmed by a five-judge bench, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is amended through executive powers. The SJB is of the view that obtaining signatures of MPs demanding a presidential pardon for Silva set the stage for this shameless decision. Furthermore, the SJB charges that the Attorney General has been pressured to appoint the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization and amend Court decisions based on its recommendations.