Over 1,500 prisoners who had been imprisoned for minor offenses and another 269 youths jailed for attempting to leave the country illegally were released on Tuesdayon a general amnesty granted by President Chandrika Kumaratunga tomark the traditional Buddhist Vesak Day.

Deputy Minister of Public Security, Law and Order Jayaratne Herath, Secretary Tilak Ranaviraja and some senior officials were present at a simple religious ceremony held at the Welikada Prison premises in capital Colombo to mark their release, officials said.

The group of 269 youths were detected by the navy on Dec. 25 last year for attempting to leave the country illegally by sea in the Puttalam district north of Colombo.

They had been on remand since then and were sentenced to one year's imprisonment in April this year after they pleaded guilty to the charges.