TNA decries Gnanasara Thera’s release

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) vehemently criticised the release of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera from prison on a presidential pardon.

TNA Spokesman and MP M.A. Sumanthiran said yesterday the party unequivocally condemned the President’s act of pardoning the prelate by abusing constitutional powers vested in him.

“He was put behind bars by the Court of Appeal for contemptuous behaviour inside the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. The conviction and sentencing happened after the magistrate complained to court and following a trial in which he was afforded every opportunity to defend himself. His appeal to the Supreme Court was later dismissed. This was the one instance when the Thera was dealt with under the law when his conduct in instigating violence against non-buddhists never drew any action by law enforcement agencies.

“Sri Lanka now faces the challenge of containing racial and religious bigotry if the country were to move forward with all citizens being treated as equals. In addressing this challenge, the government must scrupulously deal with all hate-mongers despite to whichever ethnic or religious group they belonged to. When the call of the hour was to be severe on purveyors of hate, the President’s act of showing extreme leniency to a Buddhist monk sends a wrong message to the country. The message is that it is acceptable for violence to be instigated against minorities, but that even innocuous acts the majority feels uncomfortable about will be dealt with severely. This is to take majoritarianism to another level. We call upon all rightthinking people to unreservedly condemn this act and work towards reversing such a dangerous trend,” he said.

TNA Spokesman and MP M.A. Sumanthiran said yesterday the party unequivocally condemned the President’s act of pardoning the prelate by abusing constitutional powers vested in him