Gnanasara Thero seeks new presidential pardon from President Dissanayake

Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, has appealed to senior Buddhist monks to request a new presidential pardon from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This request follows a Supreme Court decision to nullify a 2019 pardon previously granted to him by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Speaking at a book launch in Colombo, Gnanasara Thero argued that he should not face legal consequences for what he described as procedural or administrative errors made by officials during the previous administration's pardon process. He expressed his intention to respect the law but urged the current president to correct these past mistakes to allow him to continue his religious activities.

Gnanasara Thero also addressed recent reports regarding his whereabouts following the Supreme Court ruling, denying claims that he was in hiding. He remains involved in ongoing legal matters, including a case in the Colombo High Court regarding statements related to Islam.