Colombo: At least 606 inmates convicted on minor charges will be pardoned to ease congestion in Sri Lanka’s prisons amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, state media reported on Monday.
It may be recalled that severe unrest broke out within a maximum-security prison in Mahara, on the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo, on Sunday afternoon when a large group of prisoners broke their cells and attempted to run towards the main gate of the prison in an attempt to escape.
Prison guards immediately opened fire to bring the situation under control, during which 8 persons were killed and
The police spokesman said the inmates were protesting against a spread of the novel coronavirus within the prison and therefore wanted to be released.
Now, the authorities have decided to release convicts on minor charges to ease the congestion.
Prisoners over the age of 65, convicts who have completed half of their sentences for minor offences, and convicts who have completed over 25 years in a life sentence, are all eligible for the general amnesty, Xinhua news agency quoted Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya as saying.
“Those who have been convicted for minor offences and languishing in jail for a mount of money to pay fines will also be released under the general amnesty,” Upuldeniya said.
State Minister of Prison Reforms and Prison Rehabilitation Sudarshini Fernandopulle said prisoners convicted of serious crimes related to drugs, rape, and child abuse will not be released.
Over 1,000 coronavirus cases have been detected among inmates in Sri Lanka’s prison system.
Sri Lanka has so far reported 23,484 confirmed cases and 116 deaths.
