Sri Lankan’s Minister of Law and Order and Prison Reforms refused to grant any pardons to Tamil political prisoners held in jails across the island, following protests against their continued detention last week.
“There is nothing called amnesty,” said Thilak Janaka Marapona. “We will look at case by case and if we see that they have been held in custody for a long time without proper evidence or a case, then they will be released,” he said.
The minister added that amnesties to Tamil political prisoners would also lead to amnesties for Sri Lankan troops accused of committing mass atrocities.
His comments come after Sri Lanka’s justice minister and cabinet spokesperson both reiterated that there were no political prisoners on the island last week.
Mr Marapona said the issue of political prisoners would be addressed in the coming weeks.
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