CID Questions Prisons Chief for 10 Hours Over Vesak Day Pardon Scandal

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya was questioned for over 10 hours yesterday (8) by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the alleged unauthorized release of inmates under the guise of a presidential pardon.

This marks the second round of questioning for Upuldeniya, who was also interrogated for five hours the previous night.

The investigation comes from a complaint filed by the Presidential Secretariat, which alleges that the presidential pardon was misused to unlawfully release certain prisoners.

A senior officer from the Anuradhapura Prison is scheduled to be presented before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today (9), following his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the unauthorized release of an inmate.

The 52-year-old Prison Superintendent, a resident of Kalutara South, was taken into custody yesterday (8) afternoon. 

His arrest is linked to the controversial release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison on Vesak Poya Day, allegedly under the guise of a presidential pardon that had not been granted.

The inmate in question, identified as W.H. Athula Tilakaratne, was reportedly released claiming he had received a presidential pardon as part of Vesak celebrations. 

However, the Presidential Secretariat later confirmed that no such pardon had been issued for the individual, prompting a formal complaint to the CID.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that a broader investigation has been launched into previous instances where inmates may have been released without proper authorization. 

He emphasized that the government will take the strictest legal action against those found responsible.