Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara is to leave for Japan for further studies and religious activities, BBS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dilantha Vithanage told The Sunday Morning. But the dates for the departure have not yet been confirmed. According to Vithanage, Gnanasara Thera had received a Japanese visa for three years in 2018. However, in August 2018 he was imprisoned for six years after being found guilty of contempt of court over his conduct during a court hearing regarding missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. After nine months in prison, the monk was granted a presidential pardon on 23 May. The BBS CEO noted that he had received permission from the court to leave the country last week. As it was reported on Thursday (6), Colombo Additional Magistrate Kanchana Neranjana de Silva had temporarily lifted the travel ban imposed on Gnanasara Thera until 23 August. Ven. Gnanasara Thera was accused of allegedly obstructing the duties of two police narcotics officers within the Welikada Police Division. It was further reported that the counsel appearing on behalf of the Thera had informed the court that Ven. Gnanasara Thera had received a scholarship in Japan last year and that the scholarship was effective till 2022.