Over 700 inmates granted presidential pardon on Vesak
May 16, 2019 04:34 pm
President Maithripala Sirisena, in the view of Vesak Poya Day, will be granting Presidential Pardon to 762 prison inmates at a ceremony held at the Welikada Prison Grounds, on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (18).
The Presidential Pardon for the inmates is granted under Article 34 of the Constitution.
This year, it has been decided that the ceremony granting pardon for all prisoners will be held at the Welikada Prison Grounds.
In this manner, 736 male detainees and 28 female detainees will be released under Presidential Pardon.
Accordingly, 117 inmates of the Welikada Prison, 62 inmates from the Pallekele Open Prison, 55 from the Mahara prison, 50 from Anuradhapura prison, and 53 inmates from the Pallansena prison will receive Presidential Pardon.
Apart from inmates who are held for committing rape, crimes against minors and drug-related offenses, inmates who are detained over other minor offenses will be granted pardon.
