Five hundred and fifty seven (557) prisoners were granted a general amnesty on Wednesday, parallel to the 67th Independence Day celebrations.

Commissioner General of Prisons, Chandraratne Pallegama noted that selected inmates from 29 prisons across the country were granted a pardon.

Among those who received their freedom are 17 women.

The Commissioner General of Prisons noted that inmates over the age of 75 and inmates who are in prison due to the inability to pay fines, were eligible for the pardon.

Sixty two (62) inmates of the Welikada Prison received their freedom today. Fifty eight (58) prisoners were released from the Kalutara prison while seven were freed from the Vavuniya Prison.

Selected inmates were also released from the Trincomalee, Matara and Batticaloa prisons.

Pallegama also noted that 612 prisoners received a general amnesty earlier this year, parallel to the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis.

He added that all prisoners serving long prison terms would see a week reduced from their term for each year already served.

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