Sri Lanka, Sept. 10 -- The presidential pardon granted by former President Maithripala Sirisena to Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who was serving a prison sentence on charges of contempt of court, is null and void, the Supreme Court ruled today (10).

The Supreme Court delivered this verdict following the examination of fundamental rights petitions filed by Sandya Ekneligoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, and others.

Gnanasara Thera, who was found guilty of contempt of court, was sentenced to six years in prison by the Court of Appeal in 2018.

The then President granted a presidential pardon, releasing Gnanasara Thera from the said sentence.

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