26 May 2021 04:38 pm
A total of 260 prisoners were released today on a presidential pardon given due to Vesak Poya Day, Prisons Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said.
He said prisoners from 29 prisons were released under this special presidential pardon.
Accordingly, 205 male prisoners and two female prisoners were released.
53 out of 247 prisoners who were sentenced to life were also qualified for the release, he said.
Earlier, there was no presidential pardons granted to prisoners who were sentenced to life.
But in line with this Vesak Poya Day on May 26, 2021, the maximum duration for life imprisonment was converted to 25 years, the Spokesman said.
20 prisoners were set free from remand as well, he added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)