SJB senior politician Lakshman Kiriella on Friday defended his remarks made during a meeting with the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, insisting that his criticism was directed at the Government and not at minority communities.
Kiriella came under fire following reports that he had accused the Government of seeking to win the support of minority communities through its handling of the case involving Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera.
“I criticised the Government and never found fault with the minorities. Those criticising me have not listened to my full remarks at the meeting with the Mahanayake Thera,” Kiriella told a media briefing.
He also maintained that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake could grant a presidential pardon to Ven. Gnanasara Thera without introducing new legislation.
“You don’t have to bring in new laws to pardon Gnanasara Thera,” he said.