INMATES WHO FAIL TO PAY FINES PARDONED

COLOMBO (News 1st): Inmates held for not paying fines will be released under a special State Pardon by the President, considering the COVID-19 pandemic situation in order to minimize the spread of the virus at prisons, the Department of Prisons said. "Under the special State Pardon granted by the President in line with the 25th of December 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted permission to abolish the remaining punishment period of all inmates held over the failure to settle fines," Prisons Spokesperson - Chandana Ekanayake said on Saturday (Jan. 09). Thereby, all inmates held for not paying fines will be released under a Presidential Pardon.