The petition challenging the decision to grant a presidential pardon to Ven.Galagodatthe Thero: The SC grants leave to proceed

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with two Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to grant pardon to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera.

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the petitions in terms of Article 12(1) of the Constitution (Right of Equality).

These petitions had been filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandhya Ekneligoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

The Supreme Court three-judge bench, comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Arjuna Obeysekera, fixed these petitions for argument on May 6 next year.