• Legal Director says law breakers not complying with Prez mandate will ‘face the music’    
• Prisons CG Upuldeniya sent on comp. leave, Addl. Justice Min. Secy. appointed to act, A’pura Superintendent remanded 

The Presidential Secretariat stated that while there is no need to make any changes to the legal process for granting a Presidential pardon, anyone who breaks the law will face consequences.

The incident of releasing a prisoner from the Anuradhapura Prison — despite him not being included in the list of inmates approved for a Presidential pardon — has sparked controversy.

In light of this, The Daily Morning queried the Presidential Secretariat's Legal Director, attorney J.M. Wijebandara as to whether the Government would consider making any change to the relevant legal provisions. He responded, saying: "There is no need to do so. Only those who are approved by the President can be released. It’s a Presidential mandate. All authorities are bound to follow it. If anyone violates that, they will be dealt with according to the law.”

Under the current process, the prison superintendents recommend names, which are then forwarded through the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to the President for final approval.

Meanwhile, a decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday (9) to send the Commissioner General (CG) of Prisons, Thushara Upuldeniya, on compulsory leave.

An Additional Secretary attached to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration has been appointed to oversee the Department of Prisons. Accordingly, Additional Secretary Nishan Dhanasinghe has been appointed as the Acting CG of Prisons with immediate effect.

Furthermore, the Superintendent of the Anuradhapura Prison, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department over allegations of unlawfully releasing an inmate of the Anuradhapura Prison under the Presidential pardon for Vesak Poya, has been remanded until tomorrow (11). The order has been issued by the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.