In a landmark judicial victory, Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has declared the presidential pardon of hardline monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara 'null and void', citing the decision as arbitrary.

  • The Supreme Court revoked the 2019 presidential pardon granted to Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.
  • The pardon was challenged by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandya Eknaligoda.
  • The court ruled that the executive action was 'arbitrary' and legally unsustainable.

In a historic assertion of judicial authority over executive privilege, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka on Thursday overturned a presidential pardon previously granted to Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, the leader of the hardline Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). The decision marks a pivotal moment in the island nation's legal history, where the judiciary has effectively reversed a decision made by the head of state.

The legal battle began when the Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Sandya Eknaligoda—the wife of dissident cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda, who disappeared in 2010—challenged the pardon. The monk had been serving a prison term for contempt of court and criminal intimidation before being pardoned in May 2019 by then-President Maithripala Sirisena.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this ruling is not merely about one individual, but about the systemic struggle between religious influence and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. For years, the Buddhist clergy has wielded immense political power, often shielding hardline figures from legal consequences. By declaring the pardon "arbitrary," the court has sent a clear message that executive clemency cannot be used as a tool to bypass justice for hate speech or intimidation.

The revocation of this pardon signals a shift toward accountability, ensuring that religious status does not grant immunity from the law.

Gnanasara Thero rose to notoriety in 2012 as the founder of the BBS, an organization that became a catalyst for anti-Muslim rhetoric following the end of the civil war in 2009. One of the most egregious incidents occurred in 2016, when the monk stormed a courtroom to openly threaten Ms. Eknaligoda during a hearing regarding her missing husband.

The monk's influence persisted even after his initial conviction. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa later appointed him to a Presidential Task Force for legal reforms, a move that sparked international condemnation from human rights defenders. However, the legal tide turned again in 2024 when the Colombo High Court sentenced him to four years of rigorous imprisonment for inciting hatred against Muslims.

Did You Know?: The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) translates to "Buddhist Power Force" and has been frequently cited by international monitors as a primary driver of ethnic tension in Sri Lanka.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero?
A: He is the leader of the Bodu Bala Sena, a hardline Buddhist organization known for provocative anti-Muslim rhetoric and political mobilization.

Q: Why was the pardon revoked?
A: The Supreme Court found that the pardon granted by President Maithripala Sirisena was 'arbitrary' and therefore null and void.