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Amnesty for 2500 prisoners

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga acting under the powers vested in her under Section 43 of the Constitution has granted an amnesty to 2500 prisoners today to mark the country's 54th Independence anniversary.

Prisoners who will be released today belong to three categories. The First category comprises those who could not pay fines of Rs.10,000 or less that were imposed on them. Offenders who could not pay fines imposed under the Excise Ordinance and Maintenance Ordinance constitute the second category. Drug offenders who were imprisoned for two years and who spent half of their term of imprisonment fall in the third category.

Minister of Interior John Amaratunga had recommended to President Kumaratunga to release these 2500 prisoners on an initial recommendation by the Commissioner of Prisons Upali Samaraweera.

Accordingly, the above prisoners will be released from Bogambara, Welikada, Mahara, Weerawila, Anuradhapura, Pallekele and other prisons in the country today.

Those who were convicted for theft, robberies, sexual crimes, bribery, use of prohibited firearms and convicted under the PTA will not be released under this special Presidential amnesty.

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