Despite Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa claiming that the Chief Prelates of the main Buddhist Sects have not yet formally requested the Government to secure the release of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation's General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Buddhist Sect stated that they have already communicated its position to the Government through both official channels and private discussions.

Speaking on the matter to The Daily Morning, the Registrar of the Chapter, Ven. Dr Medagama Dhammananda Thera said the Chief Prelates had done everything within their capacity to seek Gnanasara Thera’s release, adding that the final decision rested with the Government. He also said the Chief Prelates had also discussed the matter with the Government privately, even though those discussions had not been reported in the media. 

“Former President Maithripala Sirisena granted him a pardon following a request from the Chief Prelates. If that pardon hadn’t been granted, Gnanasara's prison sentence would’ve ended by now anyway. It wasn’t his fault that the pardon wasn’t granted in accordance with the proper procedure. Ultimately, he became the victim of that situation and had to return to prison,” he said.

The comments come after the satyagraha campaign launched by a group of Buddhist monks at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, demanding the release of Gnanasara, was temporarily suspended following an announcement by Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera that the Chief Prelates had given written assurances that they would discuss his release with the Government.