• Says pressure won't change Govt position

The Government has no plans to reverse the court verdict against Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary, Ven Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera or grant him a pardon, President’s Legal Director, W M Wijebandara said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (18), he said the Government would stand by its position despite pressure from groups calling for the imprisoned monk’s release.

He said the law could not be set aside in response to public or political pressure. “The standpoint of the Government on not reversing the verdict is firm and will not be reversed,” he said.

Wijebandara added that the matter was not about the personal wishes of the President or Ministers, but about following the law. “A pardon is not seen as a right. In our legislation, which prescribes penalties for wrongdoing, if a pardon is also granted, what is the point of the law?” he asked.

Asked whether a formal request for a pardon had been submitted to the President’s Secretariat, he said no such request had been received as of Friday (16), the last working day of the week.

Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs W P Senadheera also confirmed to The Daily Morning that the Ministry had not received an official request from any party.

Gnanasara Thera was imprisoned after the court revoked the presidential pardon granted to him during Maithripala Sirisena’s presidency.

Meanwhile, a group of Buddhist monks continued a satyagraha at Colombo’s Viharamahadevi Park yesterday (18), demanding the release of Gnanasara Thera.

The monks began the protest on the afternoon of 16 October after first gathering near the President’s Secretariat and later visiting the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs to discuss their demands with the Ministry Secretary.

Tensions arose when the monks attempted to put up a temporary structure at the park on the day the protest began. The group later said it would continue the campaign until a solution was provided.

A further confrontation between the monks and the police occurred at the park on Friday night (17).

During the incident, Ven Balangoda Kassapa Thera was taken to the Colombo National Hospital in a Suwa Seriya ambulance after reportedly becoming unwell. Some of the monks and others at the protest alleged that the police had assaulted him.

However, Police Spokesperson and Assistant Superintendent of Police F U Wootler rejected the allegations, saying the monk had slipped and fallen at the scene before being taken to hospital. Kassapa Thera left the hospital about an hour later.

Colombo National Hospital Director Dr. Sampath Indika Kumara said the monk had left after stating that he no longer required treatment.