Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sirisena apologises to Maha Sangha over Gnanasara pardon procedural lapse
Former President Maithripala Sirisena has issued an apology to the Maha Sangha regarding procedural irregularities in the presidential pardon granted to Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. The former head of state acknowledged failing to secure mandatory approval from the Ministry of Justice and Prisons prior to issuing the clemency.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
In a statement released on Tuesday, Sirisena accepted full responsibility for the administrative oversight that marred the pardon process for the senior Buddhist monk. The technical error concerned the absence of required ministerial authorisation before the presidential pardon was formally executed.
The Maha Sangha, Sri Lanka's highest Buddhist monastic order, had been informed of the procedural deficiency. Sirisena's acknowledgement of the lapse represents an effort to address concerns raised by the influential religious institution regarding proper governance protocols.
The pardon had been granted to Venerable Gnanasara Thera; however, the failure to obtain prior approval from the Justice Ministry constituted a significant procedural breach that warranted formal rectification. The former president's statement underscores the importance of adhering to established administrative channels in matters of presidential clemency.
The incident highlights ongoing questions about procedural compliance in high-level governmental decisions, particularly those affecting prominent religious figures in Sri Lankan society.