Appeals Court orders enforcement of remaining prison term for Gnanasara Thero

The Court of Appeal today (05) ordered that steps be taken to enforce the remaining period of imprisonment imposed on Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, after he was found guilty of contempt of court.

Gnanasara Thero, who had been subject to an open warrant for his arrest, was produced before the Court of Appeal today by prison officials.

Having considered the submissions made before it, the Court of Appeal ordered the Commissioner General of Prisons to take the necessary steps to enforce the remaining period of the sentence imposed on Gnanasara Thero.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (04) ordered Gnanasara Thero, who was arrested on outstanding warrants, to be remanded in custody until today.

The Thero was arrested following an order issued by the Court of Appeal in connection with contempt of court proceedings arising from the case concerning the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

Accordingly, Gnanasara Thero was produced before the court by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) when a motion relating to the warrants was taken up yesterday before the Colombo Additional Magistrate in chambers.

Appearing before court, CCD officers informed the magistrate that Gnanasara Thero had been arrested and produced in accordance with warrants issued by the courts.

Police told the court that warrants had been issued against him by the Court of Appeal, the Colombo High Court and the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Appearing for Gnanasara Thero, Attorney-at-Law Iresh Seneviratne, together with Attorney-at-Law Pasan Karunaratne, told court that his client had been experiencing severe mental distress and had therefore gone to an Aranya Senasanaya, where he had been staying.

Attorney-at-Law Seneviratne also pointed out that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that investigated the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks had recommended that special security be provided to Gnanasara Thero. He therefore requested the court to issue the necessary directions to ensure his safety while in custody.

Having considered the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered that Gnanasara Thera be remanded.

Accordingly, the magistrate ordered that he be produced before the Court of Appeal today in connection with the warrant pending before that court.

Additionally, prison officials were directed to produce Gnanasara Thero before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the warrant pending before that court.