Former President Maithripala Sirisena has issued a special statement explaining the technical error referred to in the court ruling that led to the re-imprisonment of Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero.
He said the statement was issued in response to questions raised by members of the Maha Sangha, journalists and the public regarding the matter.
According to Sirisena, the relevant court ruling states that a technical error occurred in the documents submitted to the court by the President’s Office when Gnanasara Thero was granted release. He said he fully respected the court’s decision and considered it correct.
Two cases against Gnanasara Thero had been heard at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court, involving allegations of obstructing court proceedings and contempt of court. Sirisena stated that the documents required to grant a pardon in connection with the cases should have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and Prisons for approval.
He said the Additional Senior Secretary in charge of the legal division of the President’s Office had informed him of this requirement. However, the relevant request had not been forwarded to the ministry, according to the former President.
Sirisena further claimed that his signature had been obtained without the ministry’s approval, adding that he had been misled in the process.
He also referred to a complaint submitted by Sandhya Ekneligoda through a non-governmental organisation associated with Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, stating that the complaint was connected to the legal proceedings.
The former President said the alleged mistake by officials at the time had resulted in Gnanasara Thero being imprisoned again. He expressed his unconditional apology to the Maha Sangha for the error attributed to the officials who served in his office.
Sirisena added that he had uncovered these details after carefully studying a copy of the relevant court ruling obtained from the internet.
