President pardons eight former LTTE cadres

Eight former LTTE cadres who were convicted by courts over LTTE activities have been granted Presidential pardon, the Prisons Department said.

They have been granted pardon in accordance with powers vested in the President by Article 34 of the Constitution.

Accordingly, four LTTE cadres detained in Magazine Prison were released on Friday (21).The Prisons Department had taken steps to release them after the reduction of the sentence to be paid ahead.   

 There are cases pending in the Court of Appeal regarding two more LTTE inmates and they are scheduled to be released after they withdraw the cases.

The other two inmates have been sent to rehabilitation and are scheduled to be released after its completion.

The matter has been referred to the Attorney General for advice and it will proceed on the matter according to the instructions and orders received from the Attorney General, Additional Commissioner General of Prisons, media spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said.