No presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Day

• The Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha had appealed to the President to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a pardon on Vesak Poya day

By Sheain Fernandopulle

Ven. Gnanasara Thera is not among the 278 to be released under the presidential pardons in view of the Vesak Poya which falls today (23), the Prisons Department said.  

The Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha had appealed to the President to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a pardon on Vesak Poya day. 

According to the Department of Prisons, prisoners from some prisons across the country, including 15 from Welikada Prison, 37 from Mahara Prison, will be granted presidential pardons.    

Ten female prisoners are among the prisoners who would be given presidential pardons.  

It said the pardon will be given according to clause 34 of the Constitution.   

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment for the defamatory comments made against Islam in late 2016.