Gnanasara Thera likely to get presidential pardon on Feb. 4

24 January 2019 06:27 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera will likely get a Presidential pardon on Independence Day, February 4 by President Maithripala Sitrisena along with hundreds of other prison inmates, SLFP politburo member and MP Shanta Bandara said today.

Mr. Bandara said President Sirisena was aware of the numerous requests made to him by the Maha Sangha and the civil society to grant Gnanasara Thera a Presidential pardon and added the SLFP would also be glad if the Thera was freed.

The firebrand Buddhist monk GnanasaraThera, known for his hardline approach to political, social and religious issues, was jailed on August 8 last year for six years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of contempt of court over his conduct during a court hearing on the case of the missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

Ven.Gnanasara Thera, the Secretary General of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), was found guilty of four charges filed by the Attorney General’s Department. He was convicted on four counts of contempt of court, receiving terms of four years each on the first and the second counts, six years on the third and five for the fourth, all to run concurrently. In 2016, Gnanasara Thero interrupted a court hearing over the abduction of the journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, in which military intelligence officials were accused.

The monk, disagreeing with the proceedings of the Court, shouted at the presiding judge and lawyers as the accused military men were refused bail. The same day, he also threatened the wife of the missing journalist, Sandhya Eknaligoda. The action led to a court case being filed by Eknaligoda’s wife where Gnanasara Thera was found guilty and sentenced to six month of rigorous imprisonment. The monk later appealed the case and was released on bail.

Through the Contempt of Court action, the Homagama Magistrate has sought the Appeal Court’s jurisdiction to consider whether the alleged offensive behaviour of Gnanasara Thera inside the Court amounts to Contempt of Court. He sought Court’s jurisdiction to take necessary legal action against Ven. Gnanasara Thera if the charges leveled against him amount to Contempt of Court. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 15

xxx Thursday, 24 January 2019 07:07 PM

Lesson: Any criminal could escape punishment by putting a saffron robe. This is absurd. This type of justice exists only in Sri Lanka.

Reality Check Friday, 25 January 2019 08:00 AM

Not only that... people will start painting all monks with the same brush... and question the teachings by them.Gnanasara must do his full time... Five Years.Buddhism is at risk... If this low life gets out.

Unchikun Thursday, 24 January 2019 07:51 PM

For a man who violated the constitution this is peanuts.

Dperera Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:33 PM

This the only priest courage enough to stand up for the rights for the sinhalese. SL politicians keep the blind eyes.He will learn from the past mistakes and take neccessary actions for the sake of Sinhalese..

raj Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:57 PM

the country is in this backward stage because of people this type of mentality

Don Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:50 PM

If he starts thuggery again, Shantha bandara

Irshard Thursday, 24 January 2019 09:11 PM

Very goodLet him start his work again in religious reconciliation, in which he has a proven track record

Arnold Friday, 25 January 2019 09:30 AM

Relax Irshad. He is being released by Ranil so that you people will never vote for MR.

Anagarika Thursday, 24 January 2019 09:24 PM

Oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Nilhan Jayawardene Friday, 25 January 2019 05:57 AM

Get rid of this type of politicians soon for talking on behalf rouges. By doing this they under value the legal system. It become pathetic day by day.

laksiri Friday, 25 January 2019 06:43 AM

why this criminal needs to be out of jail????????????million questions by law binding people,e of this nation. no matter what he wearing the yellow cloths and hiding his criminals action make this nation more unsecured.

Arnold Friday, 25 January 2019 07:20 AM

He will be released by Ranil under condition that he keeps the minority votes away from MR!! This is an election gimmick.

Rasika Friday, 25 January 2019 11:16 AM

For your information Ranil is not the president and it is Presidential pardon

Arnold Friday, 25 January 2019 01:56 PM

Rasika I am sure you are not living in Lanka. Lankan media has been so full of the word Rookada!!

Rohan Friday, 25 January 2019 03:27 PM

Arnold Rookada's thread is now in MR's hand.

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Gnanasara Thera likely to get presidential pardon on Feb. 4

Comments - 15

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