Watch : Gnanasara Thero produced before court

Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, who was arrested in the Thiniyawala area while an open warrant was in effect against him, has been produced before Colombo Magistrate’s Court, a short while ago.

He was arrested yesterday (03), by a team of officers from the Colombo Crime Division (CCD).

Gnanasara Thero was apprehended after a warrant was issued for his arrest and production before the court.

The arrest warrant was issued, on September 29, after the Supreme Court invalidated the presidential pardon granted to the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Organization by former President Maithripala Sirisena over a contempt of court charge.

Gnanasara Thero was sentenced to six years in prison by the Court of Appeal in 2018 after being found guilty of contempt of court.

Ven. Gnanasara Thero was subsequently released after former President Maithripala Sirisena granted him a presidential pardon.