It's still not clear to me that the apology I gave to the monk was wrong - Maithripala

Former President Maithripala Sirisena states that he knows nothing about the court ruling that annulled the presidential pardon granted to Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero. Speaking to the media after a religious program held at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, the former President pointed out that he always acted in accordance with the Constitution.

When journalists questioned him about the relevant ruling, he stated the following.

“I don't know the exact details about that yet. I can't say anything about it yet.”

When journalists asked if the pardon was granted without proper study, the former President further commented as follows.

“Yes, well, I granted it very favorably during my time. So, I can't say what the current situation is now. Because under the 19th Amendment, I removed my powers. I removed my term of office. Powers were reduced. After that, the government that came after me removed it again, and the powers in the 19th Amendment... the 20th Amendment was implemented, and within that, the President has a large number of powers. So, because of that, we cannot comment on it.”