Sandhya Ekneligoda, the wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda and the Centre for Policy Alternatives both filed separate Fundamental Rights petitions this week against the pardoning of firebrand Buddhist monk and Chairman, Bodu Bala Sena Organization Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera. Attorney-at-Law Asthika Devendra representing Sandhya Ekneligoda clarified that he has not received any instructions from her, to intervene in an akin Fundamental Rights (FR) petition, filed by the Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, challenging the Presidential Pardon of Gnanasara Thera.
“I believe, the relief is similar, but won’t be joining the case, filed by the CPA,” he told the Sunday Observer, yesterday (22).
“We’ve asked for several dates. We need to give some time for the Supreme Court (SC) to list it. I think we have asked for certain dates in July, i.e. 9, 10 and 11,” he revealed.
Devendra said, “The pardon given is arbitrary and cannot stand. We’re asking the Supreme Court to quash that decision.”
Her attorney said so after, Sandhya, the wife of the missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, on Friday (21), filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking to reverse the verdict. Dr Paikiasothy, in the meantime, said, his case may be called in tomorrow (24).
In January 2016, the Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) had stormed the Homagama Magistrate’s Court, while proceedings were underway.
The controversial monk had verbally intimidated the missing journalist’s wife. The violent behaviour had him in hot water when the court sentenced him to 19-years rigorous imprisonment, to be completed within six years. However, he was pardoned and released from prison in May this year.