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Convict’s name not included in original Vesak pardon list
- No room for misuse of pardon powers
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Presidential Secretariat seeks extensive query
The Presidential Secretariat yesterday requested the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to probe the unauthorised release of a convict who was not originally included in the President’s Vesak amnesty list.
“This person’s name was not included in the list of 388 prisoners approved by the President for release under the Vesak amnesty and we believe that a serious irregularity has occurred. We are calling for an impartial and extensive CID probe,” a Presidential spokesman said. W.H. Athula Tilakaratne had been serving a sentence at the Anuradhapura Prison for financial fraud, a category which is generally not eligible for Presidential pardons on special days such as Vesak. However, he has been purportedly released under the Presidential Pardon granted on the occasion of Vesak 2025. Generally, only those serving sentences for minor offences and/or inability to pay fines imposed by the Courts are considered for special pardons.
“A formal inquiry will be conducted and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any prison or other officials found to have been involved in this unauthorised release,” the spokesman said.
As per the Article 34 (1) of the Constitution, the Head of State is vested with the authority to grant a pardon to convicted prisoners. Under this Constitutional provision, the names of eligible inmates are selected by prison authorities and submitted to the Ministry of Justice. After a review by the Ministry, the final list is forwarded to the Presidential Secretariat for approval by the President.
However, with regard to the above incident, the official list of 388 inmates recommended for pardon submitted by the Commissioner General of Prisons to the Presidential Secretariat under reference number 06/01/Proposal/Pres.Pardon/List/05-12/2025 dated May 6, 2025 did not include the above name.
Accordingly, he was not among those approved by the President to receive a special pardon. The Presidential Secretariat has officially submitted a complaint to the CID under the title “Release of a Prisoner Without Presidential Approval Under the Presidential Pardon”, requesting a special investigation into the incident.
“Several previous Presidents misused pardon powers and Courts have even reversed the pardons in some cases. We are determined to ensure that no such irregularities occur during the tenure of this Government and we will close any loopholes that convicts or their associates might exploit to secure pardons,” the spokesman added.
