Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero (Sinhala: පූජ්ය ගලගොඩඅත්තේ ඥානසාර හිමි) is the Secretary General of Bodu Bala Sena, a Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist organisation.[1][2] He was born in Galagodaaththa in the southern district of Galle.
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero | |
|---|---|
පූජ්ය ගලගොඩඅත්තේ ඥානසාර හිමි | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Galagodaaththa, Galle, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Notable work(s) | Bodu Bala Sena |
| Alma mater | Sarananda Piriwena Wathuravila Aranya Senasanaya University of Kelaniya University of Sri Jayewardenepura |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was educated at Wathuravila Aranya Senasanaya in Galle, before moving to Sarananda Piriwena in Anuradhapura and Vidyodaya University in Colombo. He studied Buddhism (BA, MBA) at Kelaniya University. He worked as a principal at Kalapaluwaw Piriwena.[clarification needed][citation needed]
In June 2017, the Police Organized Crimes Prevention Division arrested Gnanasara Thero on allegations of obstructing a police officer in Welikada, following a multi-week manhunt. He was arrested after appearing at a police station to give a statement, and later released on bail.[2][3][4]
Gnanasara Thero was convicted of being in contempt of court, but was released on 23 May 2019 after having been given a Presidential pardon.[5][6]
He is currently the Chairman of Presidential Task Force.
References
edit- ^ "Arrest Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara – Homagama Magistrate orders". Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- ^ a b Dibbert, Taylor (June 28, 2017). "Mounting Religious Violence in Sri Lanka". The Diplomat.
- ^ Perera, Yoshitha; Pradeep, Chaturanga (June 21, 2017). "Update: Gnanasara Thera arrested, released". The Daily Mirror.
Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was arrested by the Police Organized Crimes Prevention Division a short while ago for allegedly obstructing the duty of a police officer in Welikada. The Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was arrested when he arrived at the division to give a statement this afternoon. He was released on bail after being produced in the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.
- ^ "Sri Lanka hardline monk Gnanasara jailed for intimidation". BBC News. 14 June 2018.
- ^ "Sri Lanka's hardline Buddhist monk walks out of jail after pardon". CNA (news channel). 14 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "Ven. Gnanasara Thero meets President". Daily News.
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