Feb 04, Colombo: Sri Lanka's prison authorities have granted amnesty to 1,121 prisoners to mark the 65th Independence Day today, Minister of Prison Reforms and rehabilitation, Chandrasiri Gajadeera said.

The prisoners released were convicted of minor offences and jailed for not being able to pay fines, the authorities said.

Parents and relatives of prisoners are granted time from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today to visit the prisoners.

The Prison Commissioner General, P.W. Kodippili has directed the heads of 33 prisons throughout the country including the two main prisons, Welikada and Bogambara prisons, to submit lists of prisoners eligible for pardon.