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President Chandrika Kumaratunga has granted a general amnesty to prisoners incarcerated for minor offences to mark Wesak Day, May 4th 2004. Approximately 1,000 persons will be freed on this day. Among those to be freed are 269 young men who were found guilty of violating laws under the Immigrations and Emigrations Act. They were imprisoned after being arrested while attempting to illegally sail to Italy. The President decided to pardon them on humanitarian grounds and considering the plight of their families. These persons were sentenced to one year’s imprisonment. Buddhists consider Wesak the holiest day in Buddhism because they celebrate the birth, the Enlightenment, and the death of the Buddha on that day.
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