President Maithripala Sirisena decided to pardon Sinnathambi Uthaya Sri, the 27 year old young woman from Batticaloa, who was jailed for two years for scribbling on the mirror wall at Sigiriya.
Speaking to BBC, Deputy Minister of Social Services, Welfare and Livestock Development Ranjan Ramanayake stated that the President had made the above decision on the recommendation of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
Speaking at a recent meeting, State Minister Nandimithra Ekanayake also said that the jail term was too harsh and he too would urge the president to pardon the young woman, who was unaware that her act was a wrongdoing.
Uthaya was arrested on February 14 for writing on the Mirror Wall. Dambulla Magistrate Court later sentenced her for two years imprisonment.
The sentence triggered public outcry calling to release Uthaya, citing that she was unaware it was wrong to write on the Mirror Wall.
Sigiriya : History, frescoes & graffiti
Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress, is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site today and is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.
The Sigiriya Graffiti were written on the surface of the Mirror Wall in Sigiriya. The pieces prose, poetry and commentary written by ancient tourists, offer a fascinating insight into the history of Sigiriya.
However, this graffiti was harmed by tourists who visited the site in recent times, and authorities are considering to build a class cover to protect the Mirror Wall.
