President pardons 988 prisoners on Vesak Day

About 988 prisoners were released on Friday on a presidential amnesty to mark Vesak Day.Commissioner of the Department of Prisons and spokesman Chandana Ekanayake told media that the presidential amnesty had been granted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, under powers vested on him under Article 34 of the country’s Constitution.

Ekanayake said this amnesty was given, based on several terms and conditions.

Sri Lanka usually pardons prisoners on Independence Day and during major religious events.These amnesties do not apply to those convicted of murder, serious drug offences, rape, and armed robbery, Ekanayake said.