Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has given the order after the Ministry of Prisons Reforms recommended the release.

Accordingly, 557 prisoners who have been convicted for minor offences under the Penal Code have been granted Presidential pardon. Media Spokesman of the Prison and Prison Commissioner T.N. Upuldeniya sai,  The pardoned prisoners include those  who were jailed for not being able to pay fines,

According to the Spokesman, 10 female inmates are among the released prisoners.