TNA condemns President's decision to release Gnanasara Thero

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has vehemntly condemned President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to release Ven Gnanasara Thero on presidential pardon today (May 23).

Issuing a special statement, the TNA claimed that the President's decision had abused the "constitutional powers vested in the Head of State".

The release emphasised that the Thero was found guilty over charges of contempt of court after a trial at the Court of Appeal. The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary's appeal at the Supreme Court was also dismissed since he was found guilty, the statement recounted.

"This was the one instance when the Thero was dealt with under the law when his conduct in instigating violence against the no-Buddhist citizens of the country never drew any action against him by the law enforcement agencies," TNA Spokesman M.A. Sumandiran said in the statement.

While urging the government to deal with all extremist elements irrespective of their religious group, Mr. Sumandiran cautioned that Sri Lanka now faces the challenge of controlling racial and religious discrimination.

The TNA Spokesman proceeded to insist that the President's decision to show leniency to a Buddhist monk has sent a wrong message to the country. This is because the need of the hour was to take action against hate-mongers of all communities equally, he said.

MP Sumandiran opined that the message given out by this deed of the President was that it was acceptable for violence to be instigated against the minorities.

"We call upon all right-thinking people to unreservedly condemn this act of the President and work towards reversing this dangerous trend," he urged in the statement.