The recent controversy surrounding the release of a financial fraud convict from Anuradhapura Prison under the Presidential Pardon for Vesak Poya Day has revealed a serious irregularity: the convict’s name was not included in the official list of pardoned prisoners approved by the President, the President’s Media Division (PMD) confirmed in a statement.
Amid widespread public outrage, the PMD stated that the Presidential Secretariat has launched an inquiry after reports emerged that D.H. Athula Thilakarathna was released under the 2025 Vesak Presidential pardon without proper authorization.
According to Article 34(1) of the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardons to selected prisoners. Prison authorities prepare a list of eligible inmates, which is reviewed by the Ministry of Justice before being forwarded to the Presidential Secretariat for final approval.
The official list of 388 prisoners approved for pardon, submitted by the Commissioner General of Prisons on 6 May 2025, did not include the name of Athula Thilakarathna, who was serving a sentence for financial fraud. This omission has raised serious concerns about the legality and transparency of his release.
In response, the Presidential Secretariat lodged a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 6 June, demanding a special investigation into the unauthorized release under the guise of the presidential pardon.
Authorities have pledged a thorough and transparent investigation, promising disciplinary action against any officials found responsible for this breach of protocol.
