Suspended Commissioner General of Prisons – Thushara Upuldeniya, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (June 09) has been remanded until tomorrow (June 11).
The order was issued by Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Rathnayake after rejecting a bail application.
The Additional Magistrate had pointed out that the bail request could not be considered at this stage as investigations are still ongoing.
(Previous news 2025 June 10 – 7.09.a.m.)
Prisons Chief Thushara Upuldeniya before Colombo Magistrate’s Court today
The Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya was arrested yesterday (June 9) over explosive allegations of illegally granting a presidential pardon to a high-profile inmate and is set to appear before Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took Upuldeniya into custody following a probe into claims that he abused presidential pardon powers to secure the early release of a prisoner under questionable circumstances.
A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest, stating that Upuldeniya had been questioned for three straight days before being detained. Investigators allege he bypassed legal protocols in facilitating the inmate’s release.
In a dramatic late-night development, the Cabinet—chaired by the President—moved swiftly to suspend Upuldeniya, citing concerns that his continued role could obstruct justice. “This decision ensures investigations remain impartial,” an official statement noted.
Nishan Dhanasinghe, Additional Secretary of the Judicial Ministry’s Prisons Division, has been named acting Commissioner General amid the unfolding scandal.
