The Supreme Court has ruled that the presidential pardon granted to Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena is invalid.
The ruling was delivered following the hearing of Fundamental Rights petitions filed by several parties, including Sandya Eknaligoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
Gnanasara Thera had been convicted of contempt of court and sentenced by the Court of Appeal in 2018 to six years’ imprisonment.
However, he was subsequently released from prison after then-President Sirisena granted him a presidential pardon.
The Supreme Court has now ruled that the pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera is invalid. (Newswire)
