Gnanasara Thero court case returns to Colombo High Court as his lawyers seek a quick resolution through submissions to the Attorney General.
The Gnanasara Thero court case returned to the Colombo High Court on September 16, with his lawyers informing court that he hopes to conclude the proceedings quickly.
Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organisation, appeared before court when the case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala.
The Attorney General filed the case against Ven. Gnanasara Thero over alleged remarks insulting Islam. His appearance came days after the Supreme Court invalidated a presidential pardon granted to him by former President Maithripala Sirisena.
Lawyers Address Gnanasara Thero Court Case
Attorney Ashoka Weerasooriya, appearing with Attorney Sanjaya Marambe for Ven. Gnanasara Thero, informed the court that his client hopes to conclude the case quickly.
The lawyer said the defence intends to make submissions to the Attorney General regarding the matter.
When Judge Ragala sought the State’s position, the government lawyer said there was no objection to the request. The defence could therefore make written submissions to the Attorney General.
Accordingly, the defence informed the court that it expects to submit those written representations shortly.
The court then ordered the Gnanasara Thero court case to be called again on September 30. Judge Ragala directed both parties to update the court on the progress of the proceedings on that date. Contemporary reporting also confirms the September 30 date.
The hearing comes after the Supreme Court invalidated the presidential pardon former President Maithripala Sirisena granted Ven. Gnanasara Thero in 2019.
Ven. Gnanasara Thero had been convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to six years in prison before receiving the pardon. The Supreme Court ruled on September 10 that the pardon was invalid.
