Yangon, April 17 (IANS). Myanmar's State Administration Council pardoned more than 3,000 prisoners on Wednesday, the first day of the traditional Myanmar New Year.
They include 3,303 Myanmar nationals and 36 foreign prisoners, including 13 Indonesian nationals and 15 Sri Lankan nationals, the council said, quoting Xinhua news agency.
It said the amnesty was granted on Myanmar's traditional New Year's Day, which is a day of joy for the people.
In a separate pardon order, the council reduced by one-sixth the sentences of some prisoners in jails in the Southeast Asian country.
It is customary in Myanmar to pardon prisoners on the traditional New Year.
Last year, more than 3,000 prisoners were released on Myanmar's traditional New Year's Day.
–IANS
SHK/SKP
