By S.K. Samaranayake
Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiri Chapter has called for the immediate release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who is currently serving a prison sentence, following a court ruling.
The Asgiri Mahanayake made the appeal when a delegation of senior prison officials, including Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and Director of Operations Senaka Pallegedara, called on him on the 16th.
During the meeting, the prelate warned that the continued incarceration of Ven. Gnanasara Thera could lead to a volatile situation and cause public agitation.
Responding to the appeal, the prison officials informed the Mahanayake Thera that the authority to order the release of Ven. Gnanasara Thera did not rest with the Prisons Department but with the President.
Other senior prison officials, including Rajeev Srimal Silva, Sampath Warnakulasooriya and Mangala Welivita, were also present at the meeting.