Signature campaign launched seeking presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thero

A special initiative to collect five million signatures for a petition seeking a presidential pardon for Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero commenced today (26) at the Mihintale sacred premises.

The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Dr. Walawahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thero, together with members of the Maha Sangha and other attendees, participated in signing the petition.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Incumbent of Mihintale made a special appeal to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take steps to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thero.

Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for contempt of court and was subsequently granted a presidential pardon and released by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

However, on September 10, the Supreme Court ruled that the presidential pardon granted to Gnanasara Thero was null and void in law.