Two former LTTE activists get Presidential pardon

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has pardoned two prisoners who had been serving life sentences for LTTE activities after being convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations.

The prisoners, Nagalingam Madansekar and Selvathurai Kirubakaran have been pardoned on the recommendation of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. The Department of Prisons had also notified that the prisoners had displayed good behaviour while in prison.

The prisoners have been pardoned by the President under powers vested with him under Article 34(1) of the Constitution.

Both men had been convicted after being indicted in the Colombo High Court. Madansekar had been convicted of charges filed under the Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions and Powers) Regulations on March 29, 2023 and sentenced to life in prison. 

Kirubakaran meanwhile, had been found guilty of charges filed under the PTA. He had filed an appeal against his conviction but on July 20, 2022, the Court of Appeal had affirmed the ruling and sentence given by the Colombo High Court.  

By: Ranjith Padmasiri