President admits inmates were illegally pardoned amid stark warning on state corruption

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By: Isuru Parakrama

June 10, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has openly acknowledged that certain inmates were released from custody through unlawful means, implicating officials within the Department of Prisons in a growing scandal that underscores the deepening rot within key arms of the Sri Lankan state.

Addressing the nation during a Poson Poya ceremony held in Mihintale this evening (10), the President delivered a searing critique of institutional corruption, painting a grim picture of state agencies compromised by criminal influence and political negligence.

In his remarks, he expressed grave concern that some public servants—entrusted with upholding the law—have instead become enablers of criminality.

We must confront the truth: some inmates have been released illegally by officers who were supposed to safeguard the integrity of our correctional system,” he stated, referring to an ongoing controversy linked to recent Presidential pardons.

President Dissanayake did not stop at the prisons. He went on to accuse certain police officers of protecting criminals rather than pursuing justice, whilst officials at the Department of Immigration and Emigration stand accused of issuing passports to figures involved in organised crime.

Allegations also extended to the Department of Motor Traffic, where irregularities in documentation and vehicle registration have reportedly become commonplace.

The very institutions that should inspire trust have become sources of anxiety and suspicion for the public,” the President lamented. “There is a breakdown in civic discipline and institutional integrity. People no longer look to state bodies with confidence or peace of mind.

In light of these revelations, Dissanayake proposed the introduction of a nationwide civic responsibility programme aimed at restoring ethical standards and social discipline. He suggested that guidance drawn from Buddhist teachings could offer a moral framework for such a transformation.

The President’s remarks come amid a string of arrests involving public officials linked to various corrupt practices. Investigations into the unauthorised release of prisoners and other alleged misconduct are ongoing, with pressure mounting on authorities to ensure accountability and implement reforms.

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