Sandhya Ekneligoda appeals to re-enforce sentence against Gnanasara Thera

Fri, May 31, 2019, 11:51 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

May 31, Colombo: Sandya Eknaligoda, wife of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda has filed a petition in the Supreme Court requesting the court to re-enforce a six month sentence issued by the Homagama Magistrate's Court against the controversial monk venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara thera.

The Apex Court has decided to take up Ms. Ekenligoda's petition for consideration on the 22nd of June.

Ekneligoda in her petition, appeals the court to convert the suspended sentence against the Bodu Bala Sena Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera to a mandatory sentence.

The petition was taken up today for consideration before a three member bench comprising Judges Sarath de Abrew, Gamini Amarasena and Murdu Fernando.

The Homagama Magistrate sentenced Gnanasara thera to a six month imprisonment on the 18th of June 2018 for intimidating and threatening Sandya Eknaligoda at the Homagama Magistrate�s complex.

The Magistrate sentenced the hardline Thero to two six-month terms of imprisonment to be served concurrently.

Gnanasara thera filed a petition challenging the verdict of the Homagama Magistrate before the Homagama High Court. The Homagama High Court subsequently issued an order to suspend the sentence issued by the Homagama Magistrate's Court.

Ekneligoda pointed out that the decision to suspend the Gnanasara Thera from serving the sentence by the Homagama High Court is contrary to the law.


The petitioner requests the Supreme Court to quash the Homagama High Court's order and issue an order for the Thera to serve a mandatory sentence.