The release of 14 convicts imprisoned under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) on a Presidential pardon by Independence Day on 4 February 2023, is presently under consideration, The Morning learnt.
During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (21) between Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader and MP Attorney R. Sampanthan, TNA MP and Spokesman President’s Counsel (PC) M.A. Sumanthiran, and Government representatives including President and Attorney Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC, Minister of Foreign Affairs M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, and Attorney General (AG) Sanjay Rajaratnam PC, the release of 14 PTA prisoners by 4 February 2023 on Presidential pardons was discussed.
Speaking to The Morning, Sumanthiran PC said that during the meeting, issues of PTA prisoners, the release of lands, and Constitutional issues were discussed.
“There are 31 PTA prisoners, out of whom 14 are convicted. It was discussed to consider their release on Presidential pardons by 4 February 2023. The cases of the rest of the prisoners are underway. Also, arrangements have to be made and victims need to be consulted before their release,” he added. Sumanthiran also said that during the discussion, it was considered to release some lands following discussions at the National Security Council meetings in January, 2023.
“We will be meeting again on 5 January 2023, to prepare an agenda on the constitutional issues, following which there will be meetings scheduled to be held from 10 to 13 January 2023,” he added.
Sumanthiran PC on 14 December, speaking during the recent all-party conference, urged President Wickremesinghe to finalise the draft Constitution created in January 2019.
President Wickremesinghe stated at the all-party conference that in January 2023, he will hold discussions with Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa in regard to the report on constitutional reforms submitted by a committee led by Romesh De Silva PC.