COLOMBO – A massive manhunt is currently underway across Sri Lanka for Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera after the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on Thursday, annulling the presidential pardon previously granted to the controversial monk.
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court declared that the 2019 presidential pardon—granted by then-President Maithripala Sirisena—was unconstitutional and invalid. The court order effectively reinstated the original six-year rigorous imprisonment sentence handed down to Gnanasara Thera in 2018 for contempt of court.
Following the pronouncement of the verdict, authorities arrived at the monk’s known residences and the BBS headquarters in Colombo to take him into custody. However, officers reportedly found the premises empty. Security forces have since escalated their efforts, establishing checkpoints on major exit routes from the capital and alerting border control agencies to prevent the influential monk from fleeing the country.
Legal experts view the Supreme Court’s decision as a significant turning point in the interpretation of executive power regarding clemency. The 2019 pardon had been heavily criticized by civil society groups and legal activists, who argued at the time that the pardon undermined the authority of the judiciary. The Supreme Court agreed with these petitions, stating that the President’s power to grant pardons is not absolute and must be exercised in accordance with the rule of law.
“The court has made it clear that the executive branch cannot act in a manner that obstructs the administration of justice,” said a senior legal analyst familiar with the case. “By annulling this pardon, the judiciary has reasserted its independence.”
Gnanasara Thera, known for his inflammatory rhetoric and polarizing influence on the national political landscape, has remained elusive since the verdict. His supporters gathered near the court premises shortly after the ruling, leading to a tense standoff with police as security personnel reinforced their presence in the area. While no major clashes were reported, the situation remains volatile as rumors swirl regarding the monk’s whereabouts.
Police spokesperson DIG Nihal Thalduwa confirmed that a nationwide alert has been issued for the monk. “We are working on intelligence leads to determine his location. We urge anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station immediately,” Thalduwa stated during a press briefing.
As of Thursday evening, the whereabouts of the BBS leader remain unknown. The Ministry of Defense has urged the public to remain calm while law enforcement officials continue the search. The invalidation of the pardon serves as a rare and severe legal rebuke to executive overreach, sending shockwaves through the country’s political circles as the nation waits to see if the controversial figure will surrender or be apprehended.
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