SC to hear Sandhya Ekneligoda's FR petition on October 10

The Supreme Court today (July 10) has granted that the fundamental rights petition filed by missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda's wife Sandhya Ekneligoda, would be heard on October 10.

Ms. Ekneligoda filed an FR petition against President Maithripala Sirisena's move to release Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera on a presidential pardon.

Addressing a  three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, the Attorney General said he would need to seek the advice of the other respondents in order to address this petition.

The petition stated that the pardon of Gnanasara Thera, who was convicted of contempt of court, directly affected the dignity of the judiciary and was a violation of Article 12 (1) of the Constitution which stipulates that individuals should be treated equally.

The petitioner had cited the Attorney General, Ven. Gnanasara Thera, Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala and several others as respondents.

Ven. Gnanasara Thera was jailed for six years after being found guilty of contempt of court over his conduct during a court hearing regarding the case of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

On May 23,Ven. Gnanasara Thera was released from Welikada prison after receiving a letter from the Presidential Secretariat granting pardon to Ven.Gnanasara Thera.