A statement from the former Chief Justice that the punishment given to Gnanasara Thero is 'illegal'.

The National Grand Conference on the responsibility of protecting and nurturing the Buddha Sasana and safeguarding Sinhala Buddhist heritage was held this afternoon (12) in Colombo. The conference, organized by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, was attended by the Maha Sangha, politicians, and many other parties.

Addressing the conference, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva alleged that the punishment given to Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero was completely illegal.

According to him, the relevant magistrate had sent a letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, Mr. Preethi Padman Surasena, stating that since his power to impose punishment was limited, he would submit the facts to the Court of Appeal for a more severe punishment.

"That's where the knot is, what's the legal situation here? Contempt of court. There are punishments here. Magistrate’s Court fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred rupees imprisonment of either simple imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment for a period not exceeding eighteen months. You can't give eighteen months. It's one and a half years. Now, Preethi Padman Surasena has given six years here. The law states eighteen months." 

he said.

He pointed out that the punishment stipulated in law for the offense of contempt of court is a fine not exceeding Rs. 1,500 and simple or rigorous imprisonment not exceeding 18 months. Despite this, he said, Judge Preethi Padman Surasena had sentenced him to six years in prison. He further stated that even the maximum of 18 months in law applies only to contempt of the Court of Appeal, and there was no offense regarding the other matters presented.

He also mentioned that former President Maithripala Sirisena's pardon of Gnanasara Thero was a fair act. He emphasized that Mr. Manohara de Silva's statement that this was a conspiracy was correct.

He said that this process, which began with Gnanasara Thero, has now spread to many Sinhala leaders including Gamanpila, Jayaweera, Weerawansa, and Mahinda Pathirana, and that cases have been filed against them in the Court of Appeal as well. "Now this is spreading like a virus. To stop this, we must take legal action," he said.

He alleged that on one hand, the Sangha are being attacked, and on the other hand, Sinhala leaders are being attacked, and that this is a targeted attack rooted in hatred.