President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has granted presidential pardon to a criminal convicted under Section 386 of the Penal Code ten days after his imprisonment, which is a matter that can be condemned as a disgrace, said Samagi Jana Balawegaya Party MP, Lawyer Ajith.P. Perera.
The MP stated this while participating in the condolence statement in Parliament today (06).
He stated that Athula Senaratne, who was convicted in the Anuradhapura High Court on May 02, has more than 20 indictments in several other courts, and that the President has pardoned the prisoner on the occasion of Vesak Poya, which fell on May 12, after he was sentenced on May 02.
The MP pointed out that according to the Constitution, there is a proper process by which a President can grant a ‘Presidential pardon’ and that acting contrary to it is a serious problem.