Colombo: Sri Lanka has freed 540 prisoners, including those over the age of 70, under a special presidential amnesty to mark Lord Buddha’s birth anniversary.

President Maithripala Sirisena granted the amnesty on a recommendation of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha, a statement from the Justice ministry said.

The Justice ministry announced granting a presidential pardon and freeing condemned prisoners under a special presidential amnesty if they have reached the age of 70. The ministry said those who are serving sentences for crime will be given the amnesty without considering the severity of their crimes as long as they have reached 70 years of age by May 21, 2016. Mostly those who are in prison for inability to pay fines are to be benefitted, officials said. — PTI