Attorney Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (19) filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging a court order prohibiting protests in the Colombo Fort area against the removal of the robe of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and calling for his pardon.

The petition seeks a writ order preventing the implementation of an order recently issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, which barred demonstrations in the area.

Gnanasara Thera is currently serving a prison sentence, and the protests were organised in opposition to the removal of his robe and to demand that he be granted a pardon.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Fort Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Attorney General and the Colombo Fort Magistrate have been named as respondents in the petition.