Grant presidential amnesty to Ranjan: CBK requests President

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunge has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to consider giving presidential pardon to imprisoned former MP Ranjan Ramanayake.

In a letter to the President, she said Ramanayake is a person who is genuinely working towards the betterment of the helpless people even by spending his own funds as an artiste, politician and a social worker.

"As you granted presidential pardon to several people who were convicted for grave offences with mercy, I believe that you will accept the fact that it is unfortunate for Ranjan Ramanayake to undergo immense suffering for a charge that is not so serious," she said in the letter.

Ms. Kumaratunge said she was appealing to the President, as a senior citizen of this country and as a former Head of State, to be kind enough to grant Presidential amnesty to Ramanayake, who was in jail for nearly eight months. (Ajith Siriwardana)