Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena Frees 762 Prisoners on Buddha Purnima

Colombo: Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday granted amnesty to 762 prisoners to mark Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak festival. An event was held at the Welikada prison to free the inmates — 736 males and 26 females — in the presence of the President, the Justice Ministry was cited as saying by the Colombo Gazette. All those freed were in jail for minor offences and did not include convicts jailed for rape, child abuse, heroin use and drug trafficking.

Sri Lanka has declared a two-day holiday to mark Vesak, or the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautam Buddha. The celebrations, however, have been minimized following the Easter terror attacks which killed over 250 people and injured hundreds. In a statement, Sirisena called on all the citizens to remain united and work towards a society that is safe and secure. (IANS)

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