Sri Lanka, Oct. 10 -- Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has explained the former government's decision regarding the presidential pardon granted to Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, addressing the ongoing public discourse surrounding monastic discipline and imprisonment.

Speaking at a meeting with lawyers at the UNP political office on Flower Road, Colombo, Wickremesinghe stated that following the prison sentence handed down to Gnanasara Thera by the Court of Appeal over the Homagama Magistrate's Court incident, a major question arose regarding whether the Thero's monastic robe should be removed or if he should be granted a pardon.

He noted that when the Thero was initially imprisoned, his robe was not removed. Wickremesing...