Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero has appealed for a fresh presidential pardon from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, days after the Supreme Court invalidated the pardon granted to him by former President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.
Speaking at the launch of his book, Navayay Paha Vikurthiya, at the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Mandiraya in Colombo on Sunday (20), Gnanasara Thero urged senior Buddhist monks to intervene and request a presidential pardon on his behalf.
Addressing the gathering, Gnanasara Thero said he was uncertain about his future following the Supreme Court ruling but insisted that he was prepared to respect the law.
“I don’t know how my fate has been written. This is not a time when I am afraid. Everyone has a responsibility to respect the laws of the country. I will bow to the law. There is no argument about that,” he said.
He questioned why he should face the consequences of alleged procedural errors made by officials involved in granting the previous presidential pardon.
“If officials made a mistake in the procedure, why am I being punished? The current President can correct any mistake made in the process followed by former President Maithripala Sirisena,” he said.
Gnanasara Thero appealed to senior monks to request a fresh pardon from President Dissanayake, arguing that he should be given an opportunity to continue his religious activities.
He also spoke emotionally about his 87-year-old mother, expressing concern that he might not have another opportunity to see her if he were imprisoned.
“Sometimes we may meet again, and sometimes we may not. I have no sorrow about that,” he said.
The monk also rejected claims that he was acting on behalf of political figures, saying he was not a follower of any politician.
“We are not anyone’s followers. We are followers of the Buddha,” he said.
He maintained that the legal proceedings against him originated during the former Yahapalana administration rather than under the current government.
Gnanasara Thero thanked those who had supported him over the years and sought forgiveness for any mistakes he may have made.
The Supreme Court ruled on Sept. 10 that the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thero in 2019 was invalid, raising questions about the enforcement of his remaining prison sentence for contempt of court.
His latest appeal comes amid uncertainty over the next legal steps following the ruling. (Newswire)