President pardons 510 prisoners on Christmas

President Maithripala Sirisena has pardoned 510 prisoners serving time around the country for minor offences on the occasion of Christmas day.

Media Spokesman of the Prison and Prison Commissioner T.N. Upuldeniya said 510 prisoners who have been convicted for minor offences under the Penal Code have been granted Presidential pardon and released from prisons across the island.

Meanwhile, Christian inmates were given a special opportunity to meet their relatives between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Prison Media Spokesman said.

Special religious celebrations were planned for the inmates of Christian faith to celebrate Christmas, the spokesman said.