Minister of Prison Reforms D.E.W. Gunasekera has appointed a three-member committee to recommend the commutation to life sentences of 400 convicts who are on death row, and also examine which of them should be pardoned and released. The Committee headed by retired High Court Judge Hector Yapa has been asked to submit an early report, after examining the possibilities of granting a pardon, as many have already served many years in prison.
Minister Gunasekera said that, once he receives the recommendations, and after consulting with the President, he would submit a Cabinet paper to implement the recommendations
He said that the release of the prisoners would also help ease congestion within the prisons.
Meanwhile, another 10-member committee has been appointed to expedite cases of those who are held under PTA and emergency regulations. There are over 600 being held under PTA at present. |
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