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:
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem had been arrested by Kalpitiya police after he surrendered to the police today morning.
Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been sent on compulsory leave pending disciplinary investigation over his failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings.
The 22nd amendment to the constitution dealing with the term of the President has been gazetted by order of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Auspicious times widely followed by candidates keeping with traditions will be taken into consideration by the Election Commission in fixing the date and time for the conduct on the Presidential polls.
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