By Ruwan Weerakoon
(Lanka-e-News -04 Oct 2026,3.30 P.M.)The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has arrested Ven. Galagoda at the Gnanasara Thero on open warrants issued by the Court of Appeal and the High Court. He was residing at the Lenagiri Aranya Senasanaya on Thawalama Road, Pitigala.
The Court of Appeal ordered on the 29th of last month that the presidential pardon be revoked and the Thero recommitted to prison. A senior police official said a separate warrant was issued on the 30th by Colombo High Court No. 09, after he failed to appear in a case over the defamation of the Islamic religion.
Under the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act, security cannot be provided to people with court-issued warrants or arrest orders. Police security at the Thero's temple was therefore withdrawn from the 30th of last month, the official said.
The investigation is led by the following officers, acting on the instructions of Chief Inspector Asanka Sureweera, Director of the CCD: Inspector Kapila Kariyawasam, Head of the Organized Crimes Investigation Division; Sub-Inspector Madhuka Basitha Rasanjana, Head of Unit 5
The incident. In 2016, at the Homagama Magistrate's Court, the Thero interfered with judicial proceedings. The incident involved threats over missing-persons activist Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of abducted journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.
The conviction - In 2018, he was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to six years' rigorous imprisonment.
The pardon - In 2019, he was released with several others under a special pardon granted by then-President Maithripala Sirisena.
The ruling -The pardon was challenged by petition and declared unlawful, arbitrary, and null and void. The bench found that the former president acted on materially erroneous legal advice and bypassed proper procedure.
The consequence: With the pardon invalidated, his original conviction and sentence stand, and warrants were issued to enforce the remaining term.
Political Patronage Debate
Alleged backing under Mahinda Rajapaksa. Civil society groups, minority politicians, and analysts have long alleged that hardline groups such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) enjoyed informal state protection while Gotabaya Rajapaksa was Defence Secretary. Critics cite delayed or minimal action against inflammatory rhetoric as evidence.
The Gotabaya presidency (2019–2022). Scrutiny renewed after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president. In late 2021, he appointed Gnanasara Thero to head the "One Country, One Law" presidential task force, which drew sharp domestic and international criticism.
Official denials. Figures in the Rajapaksa administration rejected claims of sponsoring religious extremism. They framed their decisions around national security, legal frameworks, and majoritarian support. The BBS says it only sought to protect Sinhala-Buddhist heritage and was never a state proxy.
Bail - Because the ruling came from the country's highest court, the Thero cannot apply for bail.
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by (2026-10-04 09:59:00)
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