Colombo:
Sri Lanka on Monday freed some 1,270 convicts in line with a presidential pardon to mark the country's 65th anniversary of Independence from Britain, an official said.
Prisons Commissioner P. W. Kodippili said President Mahinda Rajapakse had granted a pardon to convicts serving time for minor offences.
Among those freed for 150 convicts, including 13 women, from the country's maximum security Welikada prison where police and security forces opened fire and killed 27 inmates in November while trying to control a riot.
Prisons Commissioner P. W. Kodippili said President Mahinda Rajapakse had granted a pardon to convicts serving time for minor offences.
Among those freed for 150 convicts, including 13 women, from the country's maximum security Welikada prison where police and security forces opened fire and killed 27 inmates in November while trying to control a riot.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
