4 February 2022 08:40 am Views - 215
By JAMILA HUSAIN
Jailed former SJB Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake is likely to be set free from prison on a Presidential Pardon either today or in a few days owing to the Independence Day celebrations, following requests by the main opposition to set him free, the Daily Mirror learns.
Sources within the SJB said that legal authorities had collected Ranjan’s details this week, leading to strong speculation that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had agreed to release him on a presidential pardon. Already over 100 prisoners are set to be released on a special pardon today owing to Independence Day and the SJB will gather outside the Welikada Prison premises today hoping that Ranjan would also be set free.
According to sources, those eligible for a presidential pardon today are those aged above 65 years and serving minor offenses and those who have finished serving 50 percent of their jail term. SJB sources said that in addition to the bonuses accumulated by Ranjan and the time he has already served in jail, he too is eligible for a Presidential Pardon.
This week, legal authorities had already collected Ranjan’s information and if he is not released today, then the party said his release this month is likely to be confirmed. The Daily Mirror learns that upon his release from jail, Ranjan will not enter Parliament immediately and will take a break from politics at least for a year. During this time, Ranjan will complete his higher studies and spend time with his family who is presently overseas.
SJB MP Harin Fernando has already mentioned he will give up his parliamentary seat for Ranjan to enter politics upon his release. Ranjan was jailed in Jan.2021 for contempt of court.