Sri Lanka, June 8 -- The Criminal Investigation Department has launched a special investigation into the alleged illegal use of presidential pardons to release other prisoners.

The Police Media Division said in a communique, that the probe was launched following a complaint lodged by the President's Office.

The President's Media Division says, that the attention of the President's Office has fallen on reports which allege an irregularity behind the release of an inmate of the Anuradhapura prison, named W.H. Athula Thilakaratne, under a presidential pardon in view of this year's Wesak festival.

The President's Media Division stated that the said individual was not among the 388 names approved by the President for pardon.

Consequently, ...