The Ministry of Justice has directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to hand over two Indian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment to the Government of India on the basis of SAARC Prisoner Transfer.

Prison spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said that one of the two prisoners was convicted of possession, smuggling and importation of toxic narcotics under the Poisons and Drugs (Amendment) Act and was sentenced to three life terms each by the Negombo High Court on each charge.

Accordingly, this prisoner was serving a prison sentence of nearly 12 years.

The spokesman said the second prisoner was convicted of a number of offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. He was sentenced to three life terms on each charge and currently serving a prison sentence of nearly 06 years.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to take the two prisoners to the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport on January 12 and 13th under the special protection of the prison authorities.

Then they will be handed over to the Indian Police, the spokesman said. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)