More than 700 inmates to be granted presidential pardon in keeping with Vesak

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to grant a presidential pardon to 762 prisoners in line with the Vesak festivities this year, the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms said today (May 16).

The President has been vested with the powers to grant presidential pardon, according to Article 34 of the constitution, the Ministry noted adding that a special ceremony will be held to mark the release of these inmates at the Welikada Prison grounds on May 18.

However, suspects who are serving imprisonment terms for offences concerning abuse and narcotics will not be granted presidential pardon.

According to the Justice Ministry, this year would mark the highest number of prisoners who have been granted pardon by the President.

The breakdown of the number of prisoners who will be released from the respective prisons are as follows:

• Welikada Prison - 117 inmates
• Pallekele Open Prison - 62 inmates
• Mahara Prison - 55 inmates
• Anuradhapura Prison - 50 inmates
• Pallansena Prison - 53 inmates