Supreme Court quashes presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera

The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the presidential pardon granted to Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Court of Appeal sentenced Gnanasara Thera to six years in prison in 2018 after finding him guilty of contempt of court. Sirisena subsequently granted him a presidential pardon and ordered his release.

Sandya Eknaligoda, the wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, and several others filed fundamental rights petitions challenging the pardon.

Delivering its judgement following a lengthy hearing, the Supreme Court ruled that the pardon was invalid.