The Presidential Pardon will be granted for 600 prisoners within the next 2 days, considering the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lankan prisons said, Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upul Deniya.
However, he stated the Presidential Pardon will not apply to those who have been incarcerated for committing serious offences.
All prisons have been instructed to send the lists of prisoners to be considered for the Presidential Pardon to the Prison Headquarters as soon as possible, the Commissioner-General of Prisons stated.
Prisoners from penitentiaries where COVID-19 cases are reported will have to undergo a mandatory 14 day quarantine period and be subject to PCR tests before they released to be reintegrated into society.
The Department of Prisons stated currently COVID 19 infections have been reported from the Welikada, Colombo Magazine, Colombo Remand, Mahara, Kuruwita and Old Bogambara prisons.
