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BASL urges President to launch thorough probe into prisoners’ release under guise of presidential pardons

Published

11 months ago

2025/06/12

The Bar Association (BASL) has voiced serious concern over reports that an inmate was allegedly released from Anuradhapura Prison under the guise of a presidential pardon without following proper legal procedures. In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the BASL warned that such actions not only undermine the rule of law but also suggest a disturbing breakdown in institutional safeguards, raising questions of administrative misconduct and procedural impropriety. The Association has urged President Dissanayake to initiate a full, impartial investigation into the incident and to implement urgent reforms to restore transparency and accountability within the prison system.

Full text of the BASL letter to the President:

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASE) writes to express its serious concern regarding recent reports of an inmate allegedly released from Anuradhapura Prison under the guise of a Presidential Pardon, without having followed proper legal process.

As Your Excellency is aware, Article 34 of the Constitution empowers the President to grant Pardons to convicted individuals. However, this power must be exercised in a manner that is transparent, procedurally sound, and consistent with judicial precedent.

The Supreme Court Judgement of Hirunika Premachandra v. Attorney General (SC/FR 221/2021), among others, affirms that the exercise of the clemency power is subject to judicial review, especially where due process has been compromised.

The incident involving the alleged release of the convicted inmate, has raised grave questions about possible institutional malpractice, misuse of administrative authority, and breaches in the internal control systems of prison authorities. The subsequent press release issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD) has further clarified that no such pardon had been officially granted by Your Excellency. Such unauthorised actions reflect a serious breakdown in the procedural integrity of the system, and also raises concerns of possible impropriety.

The Rule of Law must prevail without exception, and no space should exist for the arbitrary or unlawful release of prisoners, especially in a manner that disregards the victims’ rights and judicial determinations.

In this regard, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka respectfully urges Your Excellency to take steps to:-

1. Direct a full and impartial investigation into the incident, identifying all responsible parties, and taking necessary disciplinary or legal action against the perpetrators; and

2. Strengthen transparency and accountability in the operations of the Department of Prisons, with a focus on institutional reforms.

The BASL stands ready to extend its fullest cooperation to Your Excellency, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant authorities in advancing these efforts. We remain committed to upholding the Rule of Law and ensuring that the justice system serves the people with integrity and fairness.

We trust Your Excellency will treat this matter with the urgency and gravity it deserves.

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

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CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

1 hour ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]