News

Poson Amnesty for 440 prisoners

Published

2 years ago

June 3, 2023

editor

On the occasion of Poson Full Moon Poya Day, 440 prisoners will be released today (3) under the special State amnesty granted by the President.

This special state amnesty is granted based on the powers assigned to the President via Clause 34 of the Constitution.

Among those to be released are 434 male prisoners and six female prisoners.The Additional Commissioner General of Prisons (media spokesman) Chandana Ekanayake said that these prisoners will be released from 24 prisons.

The greatest number of prisoners to be released is from the Pallekelle Prison and the number is 87. 43 Prisoners from the Mahara Prison, 39 Prisoners from the Taldena Prison, 37 prisoners from the Weerawila Prison, 26 prisoners from the Pallansena prison, 22 prisoners from the Welikada prison and 21 prisoners from the Batticaloa prison are to be released. This special Presidential Amnesty is effective only for prisoners who were in prison until 22 May.

Granting a 14-day amnesty for a year or part of a year spent in prison to the prisoners who are serving their sentence in prison until June 3, cancelling the balance of the sentence for prisoners who have not paid fines, abolishing the rest of the prison sentence in respect of prisoners who are serving their sentence in prison by June 3, the remaining balance of the sentence of prisonerswho have been sentenced to 40 years or more including fines and have served 20 years of that sentence by June 3 (from the date of sentencing by the High Court) will be canceled under this amnesty.

Also, among the prisoners who were sentenced to life on this June 03, or the prison sentence of the prisoner who was sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 18 years or less will be reduced to 15 years (with fines) and implemented from the date of sentencing by the High Court.

The remainder of the rehabilitation period of the prisoners who have been convicted of drug charges as of June 3 (including prison sentences completed on non-payment of fines) and sent to rehabilitation as of this date, and who have completed half or more of their rehabilitation period, according to the ommunity Revision Act No. 46 of 1999 will be abolished have to be spent under the supervision of an officer under this amnesty.

(dailynews.lk)

News

Release of 3 suspects : AG Dept. responds

Published

10 hours ago

February 7, 2025

editor

The Attorney General’s Department states that the 03 suspects named in the letter by the Attorney General to the CID on Jan. 27, are not suspects arrested over the murder case of slain Sunday Leader Editor – Lasantha Wickrematunge.

In a media release, the department says that the recommendation was in relation to the abduction of Wickrematunge’s driver, who was not an eyewitness in the murder investigation.

The investigation into Wickrematunge’s murder has not concluded, the statement further notes.

The complete media release in sinhala is as follows :

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News

BASL opposes possible cabinet review over AG decision linked to Lasantha murder

Published

10 hours ago

February 7, 2025

editor

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over a possible review by the Cabinet of Ministers over the Attorney General’s decision to release three suspects related to the murder of former Sunday Leader Editor – Lasantha Wickremetunga.

“The BASL is firmly of the view that decisions of the Attorney General in criminal matters should not be reviewed by the political authorities including the Cabinet of Ministers as that would undermine the independence of the office of the Attorney General, which is crucial to uphold the rule of law,” the BASL said in a letter to President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The BASL said whilst the AG is a public functionary and as such is accountable to the public for his decisions, the AG performs a quasi role in respect of criminal matters.

“As such, the Attorney General has to decide whether or not to charge a suspect based on the material available and submitted to him by the investigating authority… In doing so, he will be required to consider whether such material is admissible in law and whether based on such material, there exists a reasonable prospect of a conviction, the BASL states.

“…we urge Your Excellency to ensure that there is no unwarranted interference with the exercise of the powers of the Attorney General and we trust Your Excellency will continue to protect the independence of key institutions including that the office of the Attorney General which is essential to protect the rule of law in our country,” the BASL further notes.

Sri Lanka’s Attorney-General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr) ordered the discharge of Premanand Udalagama, a former military intelligence officer, and Prasanna Nanayakkara, the then-DIG, who was remanded and bailed after evidence linking them to the murder and sabotaging the investigation. The decision has sparked widespread outrage.

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News

Ravi K submits motion to abolish MP pensions

Published

10 hours ago

February 7, 2025

editor

United National Party MP Ravi Karunanayake today (Feb. 07) submitted a Private Members’ motion in Parliament calling for the abolition of pensions for parliamentarians.

The motion seeks to end the pension scheme currently available to MPs.

Noting that an opinion of a certain political party has turned this into a ‘betrayal’, leading to the public’s trust in MPs being damaged, MP Ravi said he sought to restore this.