Colombo: A group of prisoners at the
Welikada jail here have gone on a hunger-strike after they
were denied amnesty on the occasion of the 2600th anniversary
of Buddhism.
The inmates, serving long jail terms, launched their
protest yesterday by climbing on to the roof of the jail`s
Chappell ward, officials said today.
They want their sentences subjected to general amnesty
granted on the occasion of the 2600th anniversary of Buddhism
in order to secure shorter terms.
The convicts, who have already served terms exceeding
10 years, claimed that long term prisoners were not considered
by prison authorities for amnesty.
They also alleged that prisons have become congested
with deteriorating facilities.
Some 800 prisoners serving short sentences were freed
on a presidential directive on Tuesday to commemorate Vesak,
which marks Buddha`s birth, enlightenment and death.
PTI
