Former MP Duminda Silva was released from the Welikada Prison after receiving a Presidential Pardon yesterday (24).
The former Parliamentarian was jailed for life in 2016 after the Colombo High Court found him guilty of the murder of former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, a verdict which was later affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Premachandra’s wife Sumana Premachandra took to social media expressing her disappointment regarding the release of ex-MP Silva.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya also expressed their concerns over the decision and requested to look into the possibility of reversing the decision.
Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya stated that 93 prisoners have been released from 28 prisons in the country under a Presidential Pardon on the occasion of Poson Poya Day.
Among these detainees were 16 prisoners who had been convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for aiding and abetting LTTE activities.
The released included 15 inmates of the Anuradhapura Prison and an inmate of the Jaffna Prison.Upuldeniya was speaking at a media briefing held at the Anuradhapura Prison yesterday (24).
“These prisoners were imprisoned for a long time.
They were sentenced by the Courts. They were rehabilitated in prison and accordingly they will be pardoned. In addition, 77 inmates who were imprisoned for ordinary offences have been pardoned as well. All these detainees have undergone PCR tests and will be quarantined in their homes,” Upuldeniya noted.