Cabinet decides to send Prisons Commissioner General on compulsory leave

Tuesday, 10 June 2025 02:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting held yesterday decided to send Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya on compulsory leave.

The decision was based on an investigation into the allegation that a prisoner was released illegally under a Presidential Pardon.

On Saturday, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced that the President’s Office has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the release of a prisoner who was not granted a Presidential Pardon.

According to the statement, the matter was under investigation, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible for any wrongdoing uncovered during the inquiry. This situation came to light following the release of W.H. Athula Thilakaratne, who was serving a sentence at the Anuradhapura Prison, reportedly in connection with a financial fraud case.

His release, said to have occurred in conjunction with the 2025 Vesak celebrations under the pretext of a Presidential Pardon, has drawn serious concern due to what appears to be a significant procedural violation.

The PMD emphasised that the President holds the constitutional authority to grant general amnesty to prisoners under Article 34(1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

Crucially, the name of the individual in question, who was serving time at Anuradhapura Prison for financial misconduct, was not included in this official list.

The PMD further clarified that the release of this individual did not have the President’s approval, and his name was not among those granted pardon.

Prisons Commissioner General arrested by CID

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday arrested Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya, hours after he was suspended from service over the incident where a convict was released in Anuradhapura on a Presidential Pardon.

Police said that the Commissioner General will be held overnight by the CID and produced in Courts today (10).

He is suspected of aiding and abetting the release of prisoners illegally on the pretext they had received Presidential Pardons.

The Cabinet of Ministers yesterday evening decided to suspend the service of Upuldeniya, as the release of a convict in Anuradhapura had not been authorised by the President, but the Court had been falsely informed that he had received a Presidential Pardon coinciding with the Vesak day.

Meanwhile, the Prisons Assistant Commissioner of Anuradhapura, who was arrested on Sunday by the CID in connection with the release of the prisoner, was produced in Courts yesterday and was remanded till 11 June.

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