SriLanka, Oct. 10 -- Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has explained the circumstances surrounding the presidential pardon granted to Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, saying the decision was taken after discussions with Buddhist monks, ministers and then President Maithripala Sirisena.

Speaking at a meeting of United National Party lawyers at the party's political office in Colombo, Wickremesinghe said concerns had been raised over the possibility of Gnanasara Thera being disrobed while serving his prison sentence.

He said the matter arose after Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to imprisonment by the Court of Appeal over an incident involving the obstruction of proceedings at the Homagama Magistrate's Court.

Wickremesinghe s...