Sri Lanka, Sept. 11 -- The Supreme Court has invalidated the presidential pardon granted to Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Venerable Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera by former President Maithripala Sirisena, ruling that executive power must be exercised in the public interest.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Janak De Silva stated that a pardon is derived from the sovereignty of the People and cannot be used for personal, political, or self-serving benefit.

The court noted that no reasons were provided for the decision in official records or in former President Maithripala Sirisena's affidavit, emphasising that presidential acts remain subject to judicial scrutiny under the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution.

Published by HT Dig...