The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization, Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, who was taken into prison custody today (05) to serve the remaining period of a six-year rigorous imprisonment sentence, has been provided with the prescribed prison attire, according to Prisons Media Spokesperson Senaka Palletenna.

He said the Thero’s robes were removed this afternoon and that he was provided with the prison uniform commonly known as a ‘jumper’.

The Prisons Media Spokesperson further stated that Ven. Gnanasara Thero is being held in a ward where ordinary prisoners are accommodated.

The Court of Appeal today ordered the Commissioner-General of Prisons to take necessary steps to enforce the remaining period of the six-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed on Ven. Gnanasara Thero after he was found guilty of contempt of court.

The order was issued after Ven. Gnanasara Thero was produced before the Court of Appeal by prison officials in connection with an open warrant issued for his arrest.

After considering submissions from both sides, the Court of Appeal ordered that the remaining period of the sentence be enforced. The court also directed prison authorities to take necessary measures regarding his security and medical treatment.

Ven. Gnanasara Thero was originally sentenced to six years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Court of Appeal in 2018 after being found guilty of contempt of court in connection with proceedings before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court relating to the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

He was subsequently granted a presidential pardon in 2019. However, the Supreme Court ruled on September 10 that the pardon was unlawful and declared it invalid.

Following the arrest warrant issued by the Court of Appeal, Ven. Gnanasara Thero was arrested by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division on October 3 while staying at a forest monastery in Thiniyawala, Kalutara.

He was later produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and remanded until today before being produced before the Court of Appeal.