Srilanka, June 8 -- An ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into allegations that several inmates were released illegally during the 2025 Vesak period, has revealed that a certain number of inmates were illegally released under the guise of the Presidential Pardon for Vesak this year.

The investigation was launched following a complaint filed by the Presidential Secretariat on June 6, alleging that unauthorised inmates were released in addition to those officially approved under the Presidential pardon programme.

Earlier, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera raised questions in Parliament over the swift pardon of W.M. Athula Tilakaratne, who was convicted on May 2 for misappropriating Rs. 4 mi...