Sri Lanka Supreme Court revokes controversial monk’s presidential pardon
The Sri Lankan Supreme Court has overturned a 2019 presidential pardon granted to hardline Buddhist monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara. The court ruled the pardon was arbitrary, effectively reinstating the legal consequences for his previous convictions.
Why it matters
This ruling represents a significant check on executive power and highlights the judiciary's role in addressing religious extremism and political influence in Sri Lanka.
In a significant case of the judiciary reversing an executive decision, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Thursday (September 10, 2026) overturned a presidential pardon granted to a reactionary Buddhist monk.
In May 2019, then President Maithripala Sirisena pardoned controversial monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara ‘Thero’ [as Buddhist priests in Sri Lanka are respectfully referred to], leader of the hardline Bodu Bala Sena (Buddhist Power Force or BBS), who was serving prison term at the time, following conviction for contempt of court and criminal intimidation.
Read The Hindu Profile Galagodaaththe Gnanasara | The divisive monk
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