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Chief prelates call to grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera on Vesak Day
Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Ramanna Nikaya, and the Amarapura Maha Sangha Sabha have urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to grant Ven. Gnanasara Thera a presidential pardon on Vesak Poya day.
In a letter to the President, the Chief Prelates noted that Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to four years in prison on March 28, 2024, after being found guilty of causing discord during a media discussion about the Kooragala Rajamaha Vihara in 2016.
They point out that the Thera had also taken steps to alert authorities about extremist activities in society, helping to prevent the spread of some extremist groups in Sri Lanka.
As a result, several potential extremist conflicts in Sri Lankan society were averted, the letter adds.
