President directs to explore possibility of releasing prisoners charged with minor offences

24 March 2020 06:55 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the legal experts and the Department of Prisons to look into ways of granting some relief to the prisoners who were charged with minor offences and those who are unable to meet their bail conditions, the President's Media Division said. The President has issued these instructions during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat today with the members of the committee appointed to make recommendations on the possibility of providing legal redress for the prisoners who had committed minor offences. Steps were taken to provide relief to the inmates following an inspection tour by the President at an earlier occasion, the PMD said. The Committee is scheduled to meet the President again on March 26 to submit their recommendations on granting legal reliefs for inmates who are currently unable to pay fines or pay for bail money or produce personal bail. The Committee of Lawyers consisting of officials of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Department of Prisons, Commissioner General of Prisons Jayasiri Tennakoon, Director General of Legal Affairs of the Presidential Secretariat, Hariguptha Rohanadheera, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Venura Gunawardhana, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, Secretary Kaushalya Navaratne, President's Counsel Shavendra Silva and Attorney Susara Dinal also participated in the meeting.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 13

Buddhist Tuesday, 24 March 2020 10:58 PM

How many Pohottuwa guys getting out?

Sammy Tuesday, 24 March 2020 11:02 PM

During and in the aftermath of the curfew they will go back to their crimes.

Chris De Silva Tuesday, 24 March 2020 11:58 PM

Is Duminda in the list??

Raj Wednesday, 25 March 2020 01:03 AM

Punishment for minor crimes should be community service. Like cleaning beaches, roads parks etc. Sending them to prison is a burden for government!

Prem Nalin Wednesday, 25 March 2020 07:17 AM

Yes, Down to earth decision!

Nimal Wednesday, 25 March 2020 07:43 AM

Make sure you don't release Dumiya...he is not there for a minor offense

K.L Pathirana Wednesday, 25 March 2020 08:35 AM

Entire country is at a grave situation, our president has identified the top priorities in a list, No: 1 is Prisoner release. Intelligent prisoners will spend more time in prison, they're safer in prison than coming out in a public area that is infested with corona.

Jude Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:17 AM

Hey Duminda Silva, here's your chance !!??

Jude Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:22 AM

Okay, Duminda Silva!! All YOU have to prove that, you committed a minor offence!! Yeah, you were just a bysander !!??

Corona Wednesday, 25 March 2020 09:55 AM

To catch the virus?

Ronnie Bugger Wednesday, 25 March 2020 11:21 AM

These minor offense prisoners are probably better off where they are, at least in self isolation. Releasing them is asking for trouble because those responsible will have to start looking for more quarantine centers.

vithura Wednesday, 25 March 2020 04:05 PM

So, how minor should that be then, shall we say a loot of a few million dollars

CITIZEN Wednesday, 25 March 2020 08:45 PM

PLEASE DEFINE MINOR OFFENCE

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

President directs to explore possibility of releasing prisoners charged with minor offences

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Train fails to halt, crashes onto Colombo Fort platform

New Visa procedure implemented

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident