The Attorney General’s Department on Wednesday cited the release of Mary Juliet Monica Fernando — wife of former Minister Milroy Fernando — as a key example of a controversial presidential pardon, as the Colombo Magistrate’s Court continues to hear cases into the unlawful release of prisoners.
Mary Juliet was convicted in 2005 and sentenced to death for abducting and murdering two women. She was released in March 2009 after receiving a presidential pardon from then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, reportedly timed with International Women’s Day. The Attorney General’s Department raised this case during a broader inquiry into the Department of Prisons allegedly releasing inmates without proper approval.
The issue was highlighted during court proceedings related to suspended Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, who was further remanded until July 9. He was arrested on June 9 by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of aiding the unlawful release of a prisoner from Anuradhapura Prison under a Vesak Poya presidential pardon. (Newswire)
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