Independence Day pardon for 1,270 prisoners

Chaminda PERERA

The Prisons Department yesterday released 1,270 prisoners under a special pardon in view of the 65th National Day.

Prisons Commissioner General P W Koddippili said most prisoners released were those languishing in jail for their inability for pay fines and other who had committed minor offences.

The Prisons Commissioner General had requested the heads of prisons islandwide to forward a list of prisoners eligible to be pardoned on National Day. Prison inmates other than those convicted for murder, child molestation and 27 other offences are eligible to be pardoned on National Day.