President Maithripala Sirisena, on Sunday, pardoned over 500 inmates who were serving sentences for minor offences in Sri Lankan prisons in order to mark Christmas Day.

Prison’s Spokesperson, T.N. Upuldeniya said that 567 prisoners, including 7 female inmates had received a presidential pardon.

He further said that all the prisoners released were serving minor offences and those who could not pay their fines were also released.

Prison’s Department has also made special arrangements for families of Christian inmates to visit them in prison, he added.