President to pardon many prisoners on Independence Day

A number of prisoners will receive a special presidential pardon Friday 4 February on the occasion of the 74th Independence Day.

In accordance with the powers vested in the President by Article 34 of the Constitution, the President grants amnesty to prisoners.

Accordingly, under the general amnesty, the President will grant 07 days amnesty for each year and part of the year of their sentence to the prisoners who are imprisoned till 04.02.2022; abolish the outstanding term of imprisonment of prisoners who are imprisoned on 04.02.2022 for non-payment of fines, abolish the future term for prisoners over 65 years of age who have already served half or more of the prescribed sentence of imprisonment by 04.02.2022 and abolish the sentences of prisoners who have been sentenced to 40 years or more and have completed 20 years of imprisonment from the date of sentencing by the High Court on 04.02.2022

Commissioner General of Prisons (Administration and Rehabilitation) Media Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said that the order to prepare lists of eligible prisoners under these categories has been sent to all prisons under the guidance of the Commissioner General of Prisons.

He further said that after receiving the orders at the prison headquarters tomorrow (03), all necessary arrangements will be made to release the eligible prisoners on Independence Day (04).