Prisoners’ Day today; 359 prisoners granted special Presidential pardon

Three hundred and fifty-nine prisoners have been granted a special presidential pardon on the occasion of Prisoners’ Day today (12). Among those released, four are women.

The release was made under the powers vested in the President by Article 34 of the Constitution. The pardon grants the prisoners a one-week reduction in their sentences for every year served, and the cancellation of imprisonment terms for those who were unable to pay fines.

Under this provision, the highest number of prisoners, 46, will be released today (12) from the Welikada Prison. Additionally, 32 prisoners will be released from the Mahara Prison, 30 from the Kalutara Prison, 29 from the Anuradhapura Prison, and 26 from the Wariyapola Prison. In total, prisoners from 29 prisons will be released today (12).

The number of released prisoners is valid as of today (12). However, according to Commissioner of Prisons (Media Spokesman) Gamini B. Dissanayake, prisoners who are sentenced to imprisonment by Court orders today may also be considered for release under the Prisoners’ Day pardon. Therefore, the number of released prisoners could potentially increase by tomorrow (13), as emphasised by Dissanayake.

The post Prisoners’ Day today; 359 prisoners granted special Presidential pardon appeared first on DailyNews.