International Human Rights Organisation Calls for Presidential Pardon for Gnanasara Thera

An international human rights organisation has called on the President to grant a presidential pardon to Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

The organisation’s Director, Subhash Suba Wickrama, made the request while speaking at a media briefing.

Wickrama said that the life of a Buddhist monk is one that requires a high degree of dedication and sacrifice. While acknowledging that the court had found Gnanasara Thera guilty, he pointed out that the President has the constitutional authority to grant a pardon.

He therefore appealed to the President to consider granting some form of relief to the Thera.

Wickrama said he respected and bowed to the court’s decision, but urged the President to consider the matter from a humanitarian perspective, noting that the offence did not involve murder, robbery or the theft of state property.

He appealed to the President to take a compassionate approach and consider granting a presidential pardon.