Sri Lanka, Sept. 11 -- The Supreme Court yesterday declared null and void the Presidential pardon granted to Ven.Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena, ruling that the exercise of the pardon power was arbitrary, violated public trust and the rules of natural justice, and infringed the fundamental right to equality guaranteed under Article 12(1) of the Constitution.

A three-judge Bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Dr. Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Sampath Abayakoon delivered the judgement in two Fundamental Rights petitions filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandhya Ekneligoda.The petitions challenged the pardon granted to Ven.Gnanasara Thera following his conviction for contempt of co...