Equality before the Law as foundation of Sri Lanka’s recovery
by Jehan Perera The government appears set to overcome the first major challenge to one of its foundational principles. It has faced down demands from sections of the Buddhist clergy and opposition parties to release Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara from his prison sentence for contempt of court. Ven Gnanasara is best known as the general secretary […]
Sri Lanka appears poised to uphold a key principle amid a contentious legal case. The government has defied calls from Buddhist clergy and opposition parties to release Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara from his imprisonment for contempt of court. Gnanasara, the general secretary of the nationalist Sinhala group Bodu Bala Sena, remains incarcerated.
A protest march by monks and opposition supporters occurred, but the general populace did not join. This incident highlights whether the administration will enforce equal application of the law, regardless of a person's status. The case revolves around Ven. Gnanasara's 2018 contempt conviction by the Court of Appeal, upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Then-President Maithripala Sirisena pardoned him in 2019, but the Supreme Court recently revoked that pardon. Initially, Buddhist monks demanded Ven. Gnanasara wear his robes while in court; the government indicated openness to examining their treatment in prison. However, the demand has broadened into a call for a presidential pardon.
The National People's Power (NPP) government campaigned on equality before the law, shaping its stance on corruption allegations. Sri Lanka's economy suffered a collapse in 2022, and the government has pursued alleged corrupt officials. Public memory retains the impact of the economic hardship. The case brings into focus the delicate balance between respecting religious traditions and maintaining the law's impartiality.
Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, a potent force in Sri Lankan history, has sometimes led to calls for special treatment of Buddhist monks. The government has shown willingness to address the monastic robes issue but opposes the demand for a new pardon, insisting on following proper procedures rather than granting specific exemptions.
Upholding the rule of law, even for those with influential backgrounds, is crucial for Sri Lanka's democratic institutions and economic recovery. International assessments, like the IMF's 2024 and 2025 reports, emphasize that comprehensive and coherent reforms could significantly boost macroeconomic performance. Investors require confidence that public institutions operate predictably, with contracts and property rights protected, and that political connections do not influence legal outcomes.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
