BBS General Secretary Gnanasara Thera released from Prison

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera has been released from prison a short while ago.

Gnanasara Thera, known for his hardline views, was serving a six-year jail term for Contempt of Court.

Documents pertaining to the presidential pardon of the Thero had been received by the Prisons Department today (May 23), Prisons Commissioner General T.M.J.W.Thennakoon confirmed this evening.

The documents had been handed over by the Presidential Secretariat to the Minister of Prisons and Judicial Reforms Thalatha Athukorale today. It was thereafter forwarded to the Prisons Department.

Earlier this week, the Prisons Department submitted a report to the Presidential Secretariat on the Thero’s imprisonment term and remarks on his discipline while in prison.

The BBS General Secretary had left the premises of the Welikada Prison through a different exit instead of using the main exit gate owing to security concerns.

It is also reported that the Thera  is on his way to meet the Ven Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera, Mahanayake of the Kotte Chapter at the Rukmalgama Temple.