Colombo, Oct. 14 (Daily Mirror) - Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) ally and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano Ganesan has expressed concern over remarks reportedly made by senior SJB member Lakshman Kiriella during a meeting with the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter.
In a letter addressed to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Ganesan said he appreciated the visit by an SJB delegation to meet the Most Venerable Mahanayake Thera in Kandy. However, he expressed concern and disappointment over Kiriella’s reported remarks during the meeting.
“I wish to convey my appreciation for the visit by a delegation of the SJB to meet the Most Venerable Mahanayake Thera in Kandy. However, I am deeply concerned and disappointed by the reported remarks made by senior SJB member Mr Lakshman Kiriella during this meeting.
“As I understand it, he reportedly suggested that the Government was using the issue concerning the Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera to appease Tamil-speaking citizens and other citizens who do not belong to the Sinhala-Buddhist community,” Ganesan said.
He also expressed concern over the reported use of outdated terminology and labels when referring to the Tamil and Muslim communities, describing them as integral to Sri Lanka’s plural society and fellow citizens.
“Such remarks, if accurately reported, risk reinforcing divisive narratives and undermining the dignity of our fellow citizens,” he added.
“It is regrettable that language of this nature should be used in a discussion with the country’s highest Buddhist religious leadership. Regarding the imprisonment of the Venerable Gnanasara Thera, I believe that the Rule of Law remains fundamental. Many of us have generally refrained from questioning the judicial outcome on that basis,” he said.
Ganesan further stated that the previous presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thera had subsequently been found to be legally defective.
“Should the current President, after due consideration and in accordance with the law, correct the deficiencies and grant a fresh pardon, I would not object to such an exercise of lawful presidential discretion. I would, in principle, respect an action properly undertaken within the framework of the law,” he said.
Separately, Ganesan noted that the recent controversy surrounding the attire worn by Gnanasara Thera while in prison had generated considerable public discussion.
“I have already made public appeals to Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans to refrain from making public comments on this issue while the relevant process is underway,” he added.