List of 902 prisoners eligible for presidential pardon submitted to President

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Justice and the Department of Prisons have jointly forwarded a list of 902 prisoners eligible for a presidential pardon to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, for approval. Accordingly, a group of inmates imprisoned for minor offenses is due to be released with the approval of the President. The Head of State recently appointed a committee to look into the pardoning of prisoners and detainees; with the aim of reducing the congestion inside prison complexes and minimizing the threat of spreading COVID-19. The committee is chaired by President's Counsel - Kalinga Indatissa. The other members of the committee are Director-General of Legal Affairs of the Presidential Secretariat - Hariguptha Rohanadheera, President's Counsel - Shavindra Fernando, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice - Piyumanthi Peiris, Attorney-at-Law - Kaushalya Nawaratne, Commissioner-General of Prisons - Thushara Upuldeniya and Menaka Arangana.