15 Sri Lankan fishermen held in Myanmar granted amnesty

COLOMBO (News1st); The 15 Sri Lankan fishermen who were detained by Myanmar have been granted amnesty, in line with the first day of the traditional Myanmar New Year.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar Janaka Bandara said the Embassy made several requests seeking leniency and a general pardon regarding the fishermen, based on the advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Bandara said he also met with the Prime Minister of Myanmar and made a request in this regard, and accordingly a general amnesty was granted to them.

He said accordingly the Embassy will take measures to repatriate them to Sri Lanka in a few days.

Myanmar's State Administration Council granted amnesty to over 3,000 prisoners, in line with the traditional Myanmar New Year.

Among them were 3,303 Myanmar nationals and 36 foreign prisoners, including 13 Indonesian nationals and 15 Sri Lankan nationals.