President Maithripala Sirisena will grant presidential pardon to a total of 545 inmates in lieu of Independence Day today (Feb 04).
However, only 518 inmates would be released since 27 inmates have been convicted for several other crimes.
Accordingly, 31 Welikada prison inmates, 46 Mahara prison inmates, 36 Pallekelle prison inmates, 11 Agunukolapelassa prison inmates, 32 Wariyapola prison inmates, and 41 Anuradhapura prison inmates would be released on presidential pardon today.
Inmates who are serving prison sentences for petty crimes and unbailable offences would be released under presidential pardon for seven days per year.
A prison official said that inmates sentenced to 70 years of imprisonment who have completed 10 years of their term would also be released tomorrow.
Suspects who have been convicted for sexual abuse, usage of narcotics, and organised crimes will not receive presidential pardon.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to vacate his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo this morning, a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) source said.
The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed by a majority of 150 in parliament today. However the opposition MP’s were absent during the voting.
Leave Comments