By Roy Denish.
The Anuradhapura prison chief who formerly headed the Anuradhapura Prison has been indicted for allegedly forging documents to release a convicted inmate under a presidential amnesty program, BBC News Sinhala reported.
The Anuradhapura prison chief who formerly headed the Anuradhapura Prison has been indicted for allegedly forging documents to release a convicted inmate under a presidential amnesty program, BBC News Sinhala reported.
The Attorney General filed five indictments in the Anuradhapura High Court against former prison superintendent Mohan Karunaratne. Prosecutors allege he falsified official records to secure the illegal release of a high-profile defendant through the state pardon process.
Anuradhapura Prison Chief Faces Historic Case
The matter came before North Central Province High Court Judge Indika Attanayake. According to the BBC, this marks the first time in Sri Lankan history that a prison superintendent has faced High Court prosecution for allegedly falsifying records to release an inmate under a presidential pardon.
Both Karunaratne and the released prisoner, W.M. Athula Thilakarathne, pleaded not guilty to all charges through their attorneys.
Court documents obtained by the BBC state that the alleged offences took place between May 1 and May 14, 2025. That period coincided with the implementation of special state pardon criteria issued ahead of the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.
Prosecutors allege that Karunaratne conspired to grant Thilakarathne a general amnesty, although the inmate did not qualify for the program.
The state has charged the former prison official with conspiracy, public servant misconduct to protect an offender from punishment, wilful disobedience of legal mandates, and forgery. Prosecutors also allege that he sent a fraudulent release report to the registrar of the Anuradhapura High Court.
Inmate Faced Major Fraud Allegations
Thilakarathne, a former manager at a prominent private bank, was serving a five-year rigorous imprisonment sentence at the time. That sentence related to a separate financial fraud case involving 3.5 million rupees allegedly stolen from a local medical doctor.
However, the BBC reported that a Criminal Investigation Department inquiry revealed wider allegations against him.
According to that inquiry, Thilakarathne faces 28 pending cases before the Anuradhapura High Court and Magistrate’s Court. Investigators allege that he defrauded wealthy individuals of more than 500 million rupees by promising high interest rates.
His alleged victims include judicial medical officers, senior police officials, state administrators, and leading businessmen.
Bail Granted As Trial Date Is Fixed
After the formal presentation of the indictments, Judge Attanayake granted Karunaratne bail. The court ordered him to provide 25,000 rupees in cash bail and two personal sureties of 200,000 rupees each.
The judge also directed that at least one guarantor must be a close relative.
Thilakarathne also received bail on the conspiracy charges. However, authorities returned him to the custody of the Anuradhapura Prison because he must continue serving his active five-year sentence.
The High Court ordered both defendants to appear again on August 6, 2025. The trial is scheduled to begin on that date, placing the alleged misuse of Sri Lanka’s presidential pardon process under close judicial scrutiny.
