The Court of Appeal today (October 5) ordered that steps be taken to enforce the remaining period of imprisonment imposed on Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero after he was found guilty of contempt of court.
Gnanasara Thero, who had been subject to an open warrant for his arrest, was produced before the Court of Appeal today by prison officials.
After considering the submissions made before it, the Court of Appeal directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to take the necessary steps to enforce the remaining period of the sentence imposed on Gnanasara Thero.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (October 4) ordered that Gnanasara Thero, who had been arrested on outstanding warrants, be remanded in custody until today.
He was arrested following an order issued by the Court of Appeal in connection with contempt of court proceedings arising from the case concerning the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
Gnanasara Thero was produced before the Colombo Additional Magistrate by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) when a motion concerning the warrants was taken up yesterday.
CCD officers informed the court that he had been arrested and produced in accordance with warrants issued by the courts.
Police told the court that warrants had been issued against Gnanasara Thero by the Court of Appeal, the Colombo High Court and the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
Appearing for Gnanasara Thero, Attorney-at-Law Iresh Seneviratne, together with Attorney-at-Law Pasan Karunaratne, told the court that his client had been experiencing severe mental distress and had gone to an Aranya Senasanaya, where he had been staying.
Seneviratne also referred to a recommendation by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks that special security be provided to Gnanasara Thero. He requested the court to issue necessary directions to ensure his safety while in custody.
After considering the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered that Gnanasara Thero be remanded in custody.
The Magistrate subsequently ordered that he be produced before the Court of Appeal today in connection with the warrant pending before that court.
Prison officials were also directed to produce Gnanasara Thero before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the warrant pending before that court.
