Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was pnce again absent from court when the case concerning his alleged contempt of court charge was taken up by the court of appeal on Monday June 12th 2017.<\/p>\n
The court of appeal was informed by the Senior Lawyer representing Gnanasara Thero that his client is unable to present himself in Court as the Bhikku was facing threats to his life.<\/p>\n
The Contempt of Court matter against Gnanasara Thero came up before the Appeal court Bench comprising Justices L.T.B.Dehideniya and S. Devika De L. Tennakoon.<\/p>\n
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President\u2019s Counsel Tirantha Walalaliyadde PC with Shashika Mithuna Arachchi appeared for Ven. Gnanasara Thero and informed Court that inquiries have been commenced against his client over different allegations by the Police and were proceeding .<\/p>\n
However there was a conspiracy to assassinate the BBS Gen secy and as such his client was unable to be in court through fear of his life. There had been incidents where persons had been shot within the Court precincts and as such his client who had no protection was fearful of being killed if he presented himself in courts.<\/p>\n
Justice Dehideniya then observed \u201cHe must be present in Court. It is a separate case. There is no excuse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya submitted that the respondent did not present in Court even last time and that a medical certificate was presented then that he was suffering from hypertension. The DSG said that now a different version is being offered and pleaded that the Court should issue warrant against Gnanasara Thero.<\/p>\n
Presiding Justice Dehideniya responded that he was not issuing a warrant and instead was fixing further dates for inquiry and stated “The accused Ven. Gnanasara Thero must come to Court\u201d on those dates. The Court fixed the inquiry on 18, 19th and 20th of July for three days. <\/p>\n
Senior Counsel Manohara de Silva on May 31 appeared for Ven.Gnanasara Thero and had informed Court that his client was hospitalized and submitted a Medical Certificate.<\/p>\n
The Bench comprising Justices L.T.B.Dehideniya and K.K.Wickramasinghe on that date had fixed the contempt matter against Ven. Gnanasara Thero to be taken up on June 12.<\/p>\n