SC rules President Sirisena’s pardon of Gnanasara thera invalid
The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant a presidential pardon to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera was arbitrary and invalid in law. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Janak de Silva delivered the judgment in response to fundamental rights petitions filed by the […]
Yesterday, the Supreme Court declared former President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to pardon Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera unlawful. A panel of three judges, led by Justice Janak de Silva, delivered the decision in response to petitions from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandhya Ekneligoda.
The former President had released the monk from prison in May 2019, after convicting him of contempt of court in August 2018. Gnanasara Thera had received a 19-year sentence, concurrent with six years, for his behavior during court proceedings related to Prageeth Ekneligoda's disappearance. The Court upheld the Court of Appeal's verdict on October 5, 2018.
However, the Supreme Court's ruling struck down the president's pardon, invalidating the earlier release. The attorneys representing the CPA included Viran Corea, with Luwie Ganeshathasan and Khyati Wikramanayake, while Sandhya Ekneligoda's legal team comprised Counsel Asthika Devendra, Asthika Devendra, and Manjula Balasuriya. Gnanasara Thera's defense was led by Counsel Thishya Weragoda, alongside Sanjaya Marambe and Iresh Senevirathne. Finally, Faiszer Musthapha, PC, and Pulasthi Rupesinghe represented President Sirisena.
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