The Court of Appeal (CA) yesterday (5) ordered the Commissioner General of Prisons to enforce the remaining period of imprisonment imposed on Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera after he was found guilty of contempt of court.
Gnanasara Thera, who had been subject to an open warrant for his arrest, was produced before the CA yesterday by prison officials. After considering submissions made before the Court, the CA directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to take the necessary steps to enforce the remaining period of his sentence.
Prison Media Spokesperson Senaka Palletenna said Gnanasara Thera had been provided with standard prison attire yesterday and was being held in a ward designated for ordinary prisoners.
He said the monk’s robes had been removed and Gnanasara was now dressed in the attire prescribed for inmates.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court (MC) on 4 October ordered Gnanasara to be remanded until yesterday after he was arrested on outstanding warrants.
He was arrested following an order issued by the CA in connection with contempt of court proceedings arising from the case concerning the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
Gnanasara Thera was produced before the MC by Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) officers when a motion relating to the warrants was taken up before the Colombo Additional Magistrate in chambers on 4 October.
CCD officers informed the Magistrate that Gnanasara had been arrested and produced in accordance with warrants issued by the CA, Colombo High Court and MC.
Appearing for Gnanasara Thera, Attorney-at-Law Iresh Seneviratne, together with Attorney Pasan Karunaratne, told the MC that his client had been experiencing severe mental distress and had therefore gone to an Aranya Senasanaya, where he had been staying.
Seneviratne also told the Court that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks had recommended that special security be provided to Gnanasara Thera. He requested the MC to issue directions to ensure his safety while in custody.
Having considered the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered that Gnanasara Thera be remanded and directed that he be produced before the CA yesterday in connection with the warrant pending before that Court.
Prison officials were also directed to produce him before the MC on 7 October in connection with the warrant pending before that Court.