Sri Lanka, Sept. 26 -- The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Ancient Temple, Venerable Walawahengunawewe Dhammaratana Thera, has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene in granting a presidential pardon to Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who is serving a prison sentence for contempt of court.

The request was made stating that an oversight occurred on the part of officials when executing the order previously issued by former President Maithripala Sirisena to grant a presidential pardon to Ven. Gnanasara Thera.

Venerable Dhammaratana Thera stated that due to a procedural issue in implementing that order, it had been challenged before the court.

Accordingly, he requested the current President to exercise the po...