Anuradhapura Prison Officer Remanded

14-Jun-2025

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In connection with the controversial and unauthorized release of W.M. Athula Thilakarathna under a presidential pardon during the Vesak Poya celebrations, Anuradhapura Prison Officer Mohan Karunaratne has been ordered to be remanded until the 13th of this month.

The order was issued during a hearing at the Anuradhapura Magistrate's Court on Jun 12. 

The accused, W.M. Athula Thilakarathna, was present in court during the proceedings. This particular case came up for hearing following the conclusion of another case involving the same individual.

Senior attorney Aravinda Hapakada, appearing on behalf of the accused prison officer, argued in open court that his client, W.M. Athula Thilakarathna, had been lawfully released under presidential pardon. He emphasized that Thilakarathna’s presence in the courtroom further validated the legitimacy of the release.

While the lawyer was presenting his argument, Thilakarathna himself raised his hand in the open courtroom—where officers from the Criminal Investigation Department were also present—to affirm his presence before the magistrate.

Thilakarathna’s lawyer, Suranga Mohotti, stated that his client had been legally discharged from the High Court case (HC/69/2018) pending against him at the Anuradhapura High Court, and thus was lawfully present in court.

However, Additional Solicitor General Suharshi Herath clarified that only the President holds the authority to release prisoners under a general pardon, suggesting that the release may have bypassed due protocol.

Senior Counsel Aravinda Hapakada, representing the prison officer, acknowledged that W.M. Athula Thilakarathna’s name did not appear on the official list of inmates granted presidential pardon at the Anuradhapura prison during the Vesak Poya.

Given these circumstances, the court rejected the bail application submitted on behalf of the prison officer and ordered that he be remanded until the 13th of this month.