Myanmar’s military junta Saturday pardoned more than 800 prisoners on Myanmar’s 75th Union Day, a day which marks the country’s independence from British rule.

State news agency Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM) reported that the State Administration Council Chairman has withdrawn criminal proceedings against Arakan Army members and 46 subordinates in accordance with Section 419 of Myanmar’s constitution. The GNLM reported that the move is “sure to contribute towards the restoration of perpetual peace for the nation.”

Section 401 of the Myanmar Code of Criminal Procedure empowers the president to suspend, remit, or commute the sentences of prisoners. As part of the amnesty move, seven Sri Lankan individuals were granted pardon and deportation. This is reportedly aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Myanmar and Sri Lanka. 814 prisoners were granted a pardon under Section 401 on the condition that they would serve the remainder of their sentences if they commit another offence.

Tatmadaw spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told AFP news that those given amnesty will mostly be from prisons in Yangon. It is unclear whether Sean Turnell, an Australian economist who served as deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s economic adviser, has been pardoned. Turnell has been in detention for more than a year.

The Union Day parade was celebrated with much pomp in Myanmar’ capital, Nay Pyi Taw. In a televised address, military chief Min Aung Hlaing called on people to work with the military to establish democracy, stating:

The internal armed conflicts triggered by the divide-and-rule policy of the colonialists brought a terrible loss to the development of the country and unity. Our resources, strengths and capability were lost in the conflicts. We all are responsible for avoiding losses anymore. Hence, we all need to participate in ceasing the armed conflicts and restoring sustainably perpetual peace.

Myanmar has been under the control of the military junta since the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi by a coup d’état on February 1, 2021. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has found that since the coup in February, more than 1,500 people have been killed and more than 9,000 have been arrested, charged, or sentenced.