The Sri Lanka Police are investigating whether over 20 persons had been unlawfully granted Presidential Pardons during the Christmas Festival last year, it was reported.
According to media reports, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has received information that 25 unauthorised persons had been released under Presidential Pardons from various prisons in the country.
It is reported that the CID has launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter and intends to record statements from the officials in charge of the prisons from which these inmates had been released.
The Police had uncovered the matter during investigations conducted into the unauthorised release of convicted banker, W. M. Athula Tilakaratne, from the Anuradhapura Prison under the 2025 Vesak Day Presidential pardon.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara recently confirmed that Tilakaratne’s name was not on the official list of 388 inmates approved for pardon by the President, nor was it supported by court documentation.
The scandal led to the Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya being sent on compulsory leave following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held yesterday.
Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya was later arrested by the CID.
Previously, the Deputy Commissioner of the Anuradhapura Prison was arrested by the CID over the matter and remains in remand custody. (Newswire/ Image- file pic)