Missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda's wife, Sandhya Ekneligoda has expressed concern over hers and her children's security should Bodu Bala Sen Gen Secretary Ven Galagoda Atththe Gnanasara Thero be released.
By Asiri Fernando
Missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda's wife, Sandhya Ekneligoda has expressed concern over hers and her children's security should Bodu Bala Sen Gen Secretary Ven Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero be released
She expressed concern that death threats had already been made against her children and herself. "If the Thero is released, the security of my children and I may be compromised," she added during a media gathering in Colombo in light of the recent reports of a possible Presidential pardon for Ven Gnanasara Thero.
The media conference was organised by the National People's Assembly at the Centre for Society & Religion.
Ms Eknaligoda said the President would be setting a bad precedent and undermines the independence of the Judiciary, if a pardon for Ven Galagoda Atththe Gnanasara Thero is granted.
"If the president pardons the thero, he is setting a bad precedence and is giving the thero a green light to do as he pleases," Sandhya Ekneligoda said.
Gnanasara Thero, known for his hardline views, is serving a six-year jail term for Contempt of Court. The monk, who has been accused of inciting violence against the Muslim community in the country, was also convicted and given a six-month jail term over intimidating Ms. Ekneligoda.
"If the President pardons the Thero, it would have a negative effect on the judiciary," she pointed out. "I'd like to ask the President, isn't he responsible for the upholding the law and safeguarding the independence of the Judiciary?" she questioned.
Ms Eknaligoda said further that she notified the Minister of Justice and the Prime Minister's secretary that her children's lives and that of hers may be in danger if Gnanasara thero is pardoned and released.
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