By Sarah Hannan
The Department of Prisons stated that the inmates who will be released under general amnesty for drug use will not be under scrutiny once they are released, as they would be pardoned by the President, The Morning learnt.
“At the moment, we are listing the drug users who are in prison. Further investigations have revealed that they are drug addicts and are not to be categorised as drug dealers. Already we have started to process their release papers, and if they can fulfil their bail terms, they would be released under general amnesty,” Department of Prisons Commissioner General (CG) Thushara Upuldeniya told The Morning.
Upuldeniya stated that there are bail conditions in the rule book that might have to be amended, based on the judgment of the magistrates. For instance, some cannot fulfil the bail terms and are unable to go home because they cannot find the bail monies to pay or they cannot find a person that is employed by the State to sign their papers. For these inmates, terms will be negotiated and based on the court’s ruling, their papers are to be prepared.
The release of minor offenders after settling bail or their penalty fees will be processed through the courts, and the list is to be sent to the President for authorisation and for pardoning.
“At the moment, we are listing the drug users who are in prison. Further investigations have revealed that they are drug addicts and are not to be categorised as drug dealers. Already we have started to process their release papers, and if they can fulfil their bail terms, they would be released under general amnesty,” Department of Prisons Commissioner General (CG) Thushara Upuldeniya told The Morning.
Upuldeniya stated that there are bail conditions in the rule book that might have to be amended, based on the judgment of the magistrates. For instance, some cannot fulfil the bail terms and are unable to go home because they cannot find the bail monies to pay or they cannot find a person that is employed by the State to sign their papers. For these inmates, terms will be negotiated and based on the court’s ruling, their papers are to be prepared.
The release of minor offenders after settling bail or their penalty fees will be processed through the courts, and the list is to be sent to the President for authorisation and for pardoning.