Finance State Minister Eran Wickremerante has issued a special statement clarifying he played no part at all in the pardon of Royal Park convict Shramantha Jayamaha.

“It has been brought to my notice that there are many comments in social media linking me to the Presidential pardon granted to Shramantha Jayamaha,’ the statement read.

‘While it is true that my nieces is married to his brother, I categorically state that I have had no involvement in his pardon,” the state minister said. “I strongly object to the assumptions made.”

Meanwhile, UNP Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has also condemned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to grant Jayamaha pardon.