Ven. Gnanasara sentenced to one years RI for Contempt of Court | Daily News

Ven. Gnanasara sentenced to one years RI for Contempt of Court

To be served in six months:

Bodu Bala Sena Organization General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to one years Rigorous Imprisonment to be served in six months yesterday by the Homagama Magistrate’s Court.

The sentence was handed after the controversial monk was found guilty of intimidating Sandhya Ekneligoda, wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court premises on January 26, 2015, and for contempt of court.

Ven. Gnanasara Thera was also slapped with a fine of Rs.3000 by Homagama Magistrate Udesh Ranatunga and was ordered to also pay Rs.50,000 as compensation to Ekneligoda after a motion was filed by her lawyers under the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witness Act.

Attorney-at-Law Manjula Makumbura representing the Thera requested the Magistrate for a lenient sentence by taking into account that he had no previous convictions and the service he had done for the country, such as, preserving Buddhism and creating racial harmony within the country.

Makumbura said the Thera is not someone who should be taken away from society due to his good work which benefits society at large.

However, Senior State Council Janaka Bandara vehemently opposing the possibility of handing a lenient sentence said an example must be made in this instance to give society a message that no one could act in such a manner before a court. He said leniency at a time where the courts have been insulted through his behaviour would only lead to the public losing trust in the court system while contributing to its collapse in society. Bandara, therefore, pleaded that the maximum possible sentence is given to the defendant. Attorney at Law Upul Kumarapperuma appeared for the plaintiff.

Before delivering the sentence, Magistrate Ranatunga said taking all representations into consideration said he believed a message must be sent to society and was basing his judgment accordingly.

While the Thera, against his lawyer’s advice requested to make a statement following the sentencing, it was declined. However, the Thera disregarding the order went on to question as to what wrong he had done to the country before being led away by Prison officials. However, the lawyers representing Ven.Gnanasara Thera said an appeal will be made against the sentence today. Speaking after the sentencing, Bodu Bala Sena National Organizer Ven. Vitharandeniye Nanda Thera said everything possible will be done to assist the monk and secure his release. “It was not for his personal gain that he committed such an act and therefore we will appeal to courts for his release,” the Thera said.

A large number of monks supporting Ven. Gnanasara Thera along with several laymen also conducted religious observances in front of a temple near the court premises after the sentencing.

Before being led away by Prison officials, the Magistrate admonishing the monk said he can oppose the sentence through an appeal and should refrain from making such statements which would only land him in further trouble.

 

 


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