The government cannot act contrary to the Supreme Court ruling against Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today (20), stressing that the law must be upheld without exception.
Minister Jayatissa made these remarks while responding to a question at the weekly Cabinet media briefing regarding why the present government could not grant a presidential pardon to the imprisoned monk.
Minister Jayatissa said Gnanasara Thero had been sentenced following judicial proceedings and that the government could not disregard a decision delivered by the Supreme Court.
He emphasised that the government had come to power with a commitment to ensure the proper implementation of the rule of law and could not act in defiance of a court order in response to public demands.
The Minister further stated that the law must be applied fairly to everyone, irrespective of their status, position or power.
He noted that even people who had not voted for the present government expected it to uphold the law without making exceptions for individuals based on their standing or influence.
Accordingly, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the present government would proceed in accordance with the existing laws and the orders issued by the Supreme Court.
