The sentences of 216 prisoners, who have been sentenced to death for more than 20 years, will be commuted to life imprisonment, on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, State Minister of Prisons Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte told Ceylon Today.
In addition, 17 prisoners who have been imprisoned for many years are due to be granted a Presidential pardon in view of Poson Poya, as well, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said. He further said since the said prisoners had worked for the LTTE, they had been serving prison sentences for many years.
The State Minister also said these prisoners have served more time than the punishment due to them because of the allegations that targeted them. Ratwatte said attention will be focused on this fact and arrangements will be made to release them under a Presidential pardon following legal advice.