Sri Lanka, Oct. 19 -- Former President Maithripala Sirisena has apologised to the Maha Sangha over a technical error in the documentation relating to the presidential pardon granted to Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, saying the failure to obtain the required approval from the Ministry of Justice and Prisons during his tenure was his responsibility.

In a statement issued on October 19, Sirisena said the relevant files had not been forwarded to the ministry for approval, although the Additional Senior Secretary in charge of the Legal Division at the Presidential Secretariat had informed him that the two cases against the Thera should be referred to the ministry.

"As a result, only my signature was obtained without the approval of t...