A campaign to collect five million signatures seeking a fresh presidential pardon for Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was launched today (26) at the Mihintale sacred grounds.
The initial signing was attended by the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Dr. Walawahangunawawe Dhammarathana Thera, along with members of the Maha Sangha and other participants.
The Mihintale Chief Incumbent appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to consider granting a fresh presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera.
The campaign follows a Supreme Court ruling on September 10 that invalidated the presidential pardon previously granted to Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena. The Court found that the pardon was arbitrary and invalid in law.
Gnanasara Thera had been sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of contempt of court in connection with his conduct during proceedings at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. He was released in May 2019 after receiving the presidential pardon.
Speaking at the campaign launch, Ven. Dhammarathana Thera referred to Mihintale’s historical association with the concept of granting sanctuary and appealed for a pardon for Gnanasara Thera.
He said the signatures collected through the campaign would first be presented to the Chief Prelates before being handed over to the President.
Gnanasara Thera himself had called on senior Buddhist monks earlier this month to seek a fresh presidential pardon from President Dissanayake following the Supreme Court ruling.
