US welcomes release of PTA prisoners; condemns pardon for Duminda

The US yesterday welcomed the early release of prisoners unjustifiably held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act but condemned the pardon of convict Duminda Silva.

In a tweet, US Ambassador Alaina. B. Teplitz said pardon of Silva whose conviction the Supreme Court upheld in 2018 "undermines the rule of law. 

“Accountability and equal access to justice are fundamental to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to which the Government of Sri Lanka has committed,” the US Ambassador added.