The Government will grant special general amnesty to prisoners who have served a sufficient part of their long-term sentences, the Sunday Times reported.

A presidential pardon is to be granted under criteria formulated by the Government with the aim of preventing the spread of the coronavirus within prisons and to reduce congestions in Sri Lankan prisons at present.

Convicted prisoners serving long sentences will be eligible for a grant of a special remission of three months for every year or part of a year already served by the end of this month.

Meanwhile the remainder of their sentences imposed for default of settling fines will also be remitted, provided that such terms of imprisonment are served concurrently.

Prisoners above the age of 65 who have completed half or more of their sentences and inmates sentenced to life who have completed 25 years from the time of their conviction will also be eligible for the general amnesty.

The Presidential Secretary has written to the Justice Ministry on the criteria under which prisoners could be vetted and recommended for the general amnesty.

Over 900 inmates from various Sri Lankan prisons have contracted COVID-19 since the second wave was reported from October in Minuwangoda.