– Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) senior politician Lakshman Kiriella, who has come under fire over remarks he made during a meeting with the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, said today that his criticism was directed at the Government and not at minority communities.
Kiriella was reported to have said that the Government was attempting to win the support of minority communities through its handling of the case involving Venerable Galabodaatte Gnanasara Thera.
“I criticized the Government and never found fault with the minorities. Those criticizing me have not listened to my full remarks at the meeting with the Mahanayake Thera,” Kiriella told a media briefing.He also said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake could grant a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera through a presidential directive, without the need to introduce new legislation.

“You don’t have to bring in new laws to pardon Gnanasara Thera,” he said.