A decision on granting presidential pardon to former MP Ranjan Ramanayake hangs in the balance, government sources said.

A number of artistes and civil activists have requested the government to grant presidential pardon to Ramanayake who has been convicted for contempt of court. Among them are staunch supporters of the current governent.

However, State Minister of Prisons Lohan Ratwatte said the President was yet to receive a letter outlining "fair reasons" for a presidential pardon for Ramanayake.

"People talk about it. But, no one has given fair reasons for the release of the former MP. The charges levelled against him are serious," Ratwatte added.

It was in the grapevine a few months ago that the government was considering a presidential pardon for the former MP.