Separate probe to arrest fraud convict released under pardon - Minister

• The CID has found that illegal releases have occurred over several years   
• Authorities, including the Justice Minister, are now gathering information and awaiting police investigation results to decide next steps   

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

While investigations continue into the illegal release of inmates under a Presidential Pardon, a separate probe has been launched to arrest Athula Tilakaratne, a convict in a financial fraud case at Anuradhapura Prison who was also released under the same pardon, a government minister confirmed yesterday.   

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to launch an investigation into the inmates who were released illegally.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Minister Wijepala said he had instructed the CID to obtain information on the questionable releases that allegedly took place after the appointment of the new Commissioner General of Prisons.   

The CID launched investigations into the misuse of the Presidential Pardon following a complaint filed by the Presidential Secretariat on June 6, alleging that unauthorized inmates were released in addition to those officially approved under the Presidential Pardon programme.   

Following the complaint, the CID began the investigations and arrested key prison officials, including the Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya.   

Before his arrest, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to suspend Upuldeniya from his position after investigations revealed that the Department of Prisons had misused the Presidential Pardon to release inmates illegally.   

Sources said that the CID had recorded statements from several prison officials and examined the documents.   

During the investigations, it was revealed that this is not an isolated incident and that similar unauthorized releases have occurred in previous years as well, with inmates being freed under the guise of the Presidential Pardon programme without proper approval.   

Meanwhile, when asked what action would be taken against those released illegally, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara told Daily Mirror that further action would be taken following the outcome of the police investigations. He said the Ministry is gathering information and studying the matter.