PersonConvictedIn custody
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
The conviction mark reflects court convictions reported by the cited sources. Convictions can be appealed or overturned, and this entry may not show the latest position. The custody or bail mark follows the dated status line below and may be out of date.
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Details
- Role
- Buddhist monk; General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Flagged for
- Court convictions in 2018, 2024 and 2025 (see connections)
- Status
- In prison since 5 October 2026, serving the rest of the 2018 contempt sentence; petitions over the prison-attire decision are before a new three-judge Court of Appeal bench after the court’s President recused himself on 14 October 2026, and were fixed for consideration on 22 October 2026; the Prisons Department said on 14 October 2026 that a committee reviewing prison attire rules for imprisoned religious leaders was expected to report within about two weeks. On 20 October 2026 the Minister of Buddhasasana said he is scheduled to be produced in court wearing his robes on 23 October 2026; on 22 October 2026 the ministry told the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha he would not be produced in court on 23 October; a Prisons Department gazette reported on 24 October 2026 sets a procedure for removing the robes of imprisoned monks; on 23 October 2026 the Colombo High Court judge hearing a separate case over his alleged remarks about the Quran said the court could not order the reinstatement of his robe, and fixed that case to be recalled on 29 January; the monks’ satyagraha was in its tenth day on 25 October 2026
Coming court dates
- 29 Jan 2027
- Colombo High Court case over alleged remarks about the Quran to be recalled, with submissions on a possible plea agreement
Connections (15)
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / General Secretary of / Bodu Bala Sena
- Encyclopedia entry by Michael Hertzberg (University of Bergen): the group was founded in 2012 by Kirama Wimalajothi as leader and Gnanasara as general secretary.23 May 2019 · Store norske leksikon · Bodu Bala Sena
- Refers to him as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary.8 Aug 2018 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Ven. Gnanasara Thera sentenced by Appeal Court
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Spoke at rally before / Aluthgama violence, June 2014
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Convicted in / Intimidation conviction, June 2018
- Homagama Magistrate's Court sentenced him to six months of rigorous imprisonment for intimidating Sandya Eknaligoda; reported as the first time a court had found him guilty.15 Jun 2018 · Daily FT · Gnansara gets 6-month rigorous imprisonment
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Convicted in / Contempt of court conviction, August 2018
- Maithripala Sirisena / Granted presidential pardon to / Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
- President Sirisena pardoned him after he was sentenced to six years for contempt of court; the president’s office gave no reason.22 May 2019 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka president pardons hardline Buddhist monk
- On 10 September 2026 the Supreme Court ruled that the pardon was legally invalid.5 Oct 2026 · News 1st · Gnanasara Thera's Six-Year Prison Sentence Reinstated
- In a statement, Sirisena said he respects the court’s decision and considers it correct. He said the pardon documents should have gone to the Ministry of Justice and Prisons for approval but only his signature was obtained, that he was misled in the process by officials who served in his administration, and offered an unconditional apology to the Maha Sangha. These are his own statements; the article carries no response from the officials.19 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Ex-President Sirisena apologises over technical error in Gnanasara Thero’s pardon
- In a statement, Sirisena said officials at the Presidential Secretariat misled him: he said the Additional Senior Secretary for legal affairs told him Ministry of Justice and Prisons approval was needed, but that the documents were never forwarded and his signature was obtained without it. He said he accepted the court’s judgment as correct and apologised to the Buddhist clergy, while maintaining the mistake was made by officials of his administration. These are his claims; the article carries no response from the Presidential Secretariat.20 Oct 2026 · Daily FT · Maithri says misled over Gnanasara Thera pardon
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Chairman of / Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Convicted in / Conviction over remarks on Islam, March 2024
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Convicted in / Conviction for insulting Islam, January 2025
- Ranil Wickremesinghe / Says he supported the 2019 pardon of / Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
- Speaking to United National Party lawyers, he said that as prime minister he discussed the matter with cabinet ministers and supported the pardon granted by President Sirisena. He said senior monks had warned that removing the monk’s robes in prison would cause a serious religious controversy.10 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Ranil explains why Gnanasara Thera was granted presidential pardon in 2019
- Foot march for Gnanasara’s release, October 2026 / Calls for the release of / Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
- Udaya Gammanpila / Alleges prison officers forced a prison uniform on / Galagoda Aththe GnanasaraAllegation
- At a press conference on 12 October 2026 he said he had visited Welikada Prison on 8 October at the monk’s request, and alleged that officers forcibly dressed the monk in a prison uniform under pressure from senior NPP leaders. The article says the allegations have not been independently verified and carries no response.12 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gnanasara Thera forced to wear prison uniform despite objections – Gammanpila
- Prison Commissioner and Media Spokesperson Senaka Pallethanna denied the allegation, saying the Department of Prisons has received no complaints, is unaware of any such incident and follows prison regulations: “There is no possibility of such a thing happening.” He said a committee has been appointed to review prison attire regulations for imprisoned religious leaders, with Prisons Commissioner Gajanayake as a member, that he expected its report this week or next, and that the department would act on its recommendations because procedures cannot be changed arbitrarily under prison laws.14 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Prisons Department denies Gammanpila’s allegations over Gnanasara Thera’s prison attire
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Subject of / Petitions over prison attire, October 2026
- Court of Appeal President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya withdrew from hearing petitions that challenge a prison authorities’ decision requiring the monk to wear prison attire and ask for an order invalidating it. The article gives no reason for the recusal and says a three-judge bench was appointed.14 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gnanasara Thera’s robes case: Court of Appeal President recuses himself
- After the recusal, Justice Abeysooriya appointed a new three-member bench of Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando to consider the petitions.14 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court president recuses himself from hearing petitions over removal of Gnanasara Thero’s robe
- On 15 October 2026 the bench of Justices Amal Ranaraja, Mahen Gopallawa and Priyantha Fernando, after considering submissions, ordered that the petitions, filed by a group of monks including Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thero, be taken up for consideration on 22 October 2026.15 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Petitions challenging decision to remove Gnanasara Thero’s monastic robes fixed for consideration
- Minister of Buddhasasana Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said Gnanasara is scheduled to be produced before court wearing his robes on 23 October 2026, in accordance with the amended prison regulations. He said the Commissioner-General of Buddhist Affairs had written to the Mahanayake Thera of the Nikaya to which Gnanasara belongs, seeking guidance on the procedure, and had also sought guidance to pass on to the Commissioner-General of Prisons.20 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gnanasara Thera to be produced in court wearing robes on October 23
- The article says the Maha Sangha, at a Buddha Sasana Council meeting on 20 October 2026, endorsed the recommendations of a committee appointed by the President on amending the law on imprisoned monks. One proposal is that an imprisoned monk taken outside prison for a court appearance or other official purpose may wear the robe only on the recommendation of the relevant Nikaya chapter or Sangha Council. It describes the changes as proposed and says the Maha Sangha asked the 31 factions of the three chapters to meet and agree a common framework.20 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Maha Sangha endorses proposed legal reforms on imprisoned Buddhist monks
- A spokesperson for the Department of Buddhist Affairs said he will be taken to court in his robes on 23 October 2026 following changes to the relevant Standing Orders. The Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs informed the Maha Nayaka Thera of his Nikaya and sought guidance on how to take him to court; the Department has asked the monastic leadership for approval and consent.20 Oct 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Gnanasara Thera to be taken to court in robes on October 23
- Reports that the Acting Commissioner General of Prisons, with the Justice Minister’s approval, issued an Extraordinary Gazette amending Department of Prisons Standing Orders. When a Buddhist monk is imprisoned, the Commissioner of Prisons is to consult the Department of Buddhist Affairs, which informs the monk’s Nikaya or Chapter; the Chapter’s decision on removing the robes is to be reported back within ten days, and if no response is received the Commissioner may act under the relevant provisions. The article does not mention Gnanasara by name.24 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Gazette issued on procedures regarding removal of imprisoned Buddhist monks’ robes
- Reports that on 23 October 2026 Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala observed, in the Attorney General’s case over his alleged remarks about the Quran, that the court had no authority to order the reinstatement of the robe removed by prison officials. His counsel had said the Kotte Mahanayake Thera had asked prison authorities in writing for a ceremonial reinstatement and had received no response. The judge said such a request could affect other monks serving sentences. The article says Gnanasara was produced by WhatsApp video call, that prison authorities cited tension over the incident, and that the case was fixed to be recalled on 29 January.24 Oct 2026 · Daily FT · Court has no authority to order reinstatement of Gnanasara Thera’s robe: HC
- United National Party (UNP) / Called on 26 October 2026 for an immediate presidential pardon for / Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
- In a statement issued after the satyagraha was suspended, the party urged the President to grant an immediate pardon with the involvement of the Chief Prelates of the three main Buddhist chapters. It cited former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva as saying the maximum sentence for contempt of court is 18 months, said he had already spent more than 10 months in prison for the offence, criticised the government’s reported efforts to obtain court orders against monks who had not taken part in the march and satyagraha, and called for an investigation into those responsible for ordering the removal of his robe. The article carries no government response.26 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · UNP calls for presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thero
- Roshan Ranasinghe / Called on 26 October 2026 for a presidential pardon for / Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
- Speaking on Ada Derana 360 on 26 October, he asked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as chairman of the Sarvajana Balaya party and personally, to grant a pardon. He referred to former President Sirisena’s decision to grant the 2019 pardon, saying it had been made at the request of the Mahanayake Theros and in line with the public mandate.27 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Roshan Ranasinghe calls for Presidential pardon for Gnanasara Thero
- Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara / Told a press conference that about 500 youths had gathered at a temple / Gintota violence, November 2017