Gammanpila Warns of Consequences if Gnanasara Is Not Granted a Pardon

18-Oct-2026

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seeking a royal pardon from the King of Saudi Arabia for Anojan but is refusing to grant a presidential pardon to Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. The Government should correct its mistake by granting Gnanasara Thera a pardon; otherwise, it will have to face serious consequences, said Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and a former minister.

He made these remarks at a press conference held at the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya office on October 17.

Gnanasara Thera, who spoke out on behalf of the country, has been victimised for political reasons. While Buddhist monks are continuing their protests on his behalf, Minister K. D. Lal Kantha says that Gnanasara Thera will not be granted a pardon.

It is the President who must grant Gnanasara Thera a pardon. No one has asked Lal Kantha for a pardon. The President must clarify whether presidential powers have been transferred to Minister Lal Kantha.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seeking a pardon from the King of Saudi Arabia for Anojan, yet refuses to pardon the Buddhist monk Gnanasara Thera. The Government should correct its mistake by granting him a pardon; otherwise, it will face serious consequences.

The police are now using force against those protesting in front of the Presidential Secretariat. The President must not forget that he came to power through protests in the past, Gammanpila said.