Former President Maithripala Sirisena has issued a special statement explaining the technical error cited in a court ruling that led to the re-imprisonment of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. He said the statement was issued in response to questions raised by members of the Maha Sangha, journalists and the general public regarding the matter.

According to the court ruling, a technical error had occurred in the documents submitted by the President’s Office in connection with the process of granting a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera.

The former President said he fully respects the court’s decision and considers it correct.

He explained that two cases against Gnanasara Thera had been heard before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. The cases involved allegations of obstructing court proceedings and contempt of court under Article 105 of the Constitution and were registered under case numbers 37417/10 and 40042.

Ex president Sirisena said the documents relating to the pardon in both cases should have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and Prisons for approval.

Although the then Additional Senior Secretary in charge of the Legal Division of the President’s Office had informed him of this requirement, the relevant request was not forwarded to the ministry, he said.

As a result, his signature was obtained without the necessary ministerial approval. Sirisena said he had been misled in the process.