Convenor of Janathawadi Joint Opposition Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (12) urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to pardon Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara.
Prof. Peiris said that the primary issue was the annulment of presidential pardon granted to Ven. Gnanasara by President Maithripala Sirisena, in May 2019.
Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the real issue was not how Ven. Gnanasara was produced in court. Prof. Peiris was flanked by United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka and UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena.
Declaring that was a secondary issue, Prof. Peiris said that as the Mahanayakes wanted President Dissanayake could exercise authority to grant presidential pardon to the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).
Referring to the annulment of the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Gnanasara by a three-judge Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justices Janak De Silva, Dr. Sobhitha Rajakaruna, and Sampath B. Abayakoon, Prof. Peiris said that the recipient of that pardon shouldn’t be held responsible for technical/administrative lapses. Therefore, President Dissanayake could settle the issue by releasing the monk.
The three judge bench unanimously ruled that the 2019 pardon was arbitrary, unlawful, violated public trust and natural justice, and infringed upon Article 12(1) of the Constitution (the right to equality). Prof. Peiris said that President Sirisena released Ven. Gnanasara on the request of Mahanayaka theras and other Maha Sangha.
Prof. Peiris said that the action taken by the government to produce Ven. Gnanasara reflected a far bigger problem than what received the public attention. The former minister also rejected the appointment of a committee to amend rules and regulations governing inmates as a bid to divert public attention. According to him, there was absolutely no need for such a committee as the existing rules and regulations in this regard were clear (SF)