COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Court of Appeal delivered a verdict today (August 08) sentencing Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero to six years of rigorous imprisonment on charges of contempt of court.

The case was taken up before a bench consisting of President of the Court of Appeal, P. Padman Surasena, and Justice Shiran Gunaratne who all ordered that Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero be immediately taken into custody. Gnanasara Thero is currently receiving treatment at the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital.

The charges have been filed against Gnanasara Thero over forcibly entering the court complex when the case on the abduction and disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was being taken up on the 25th of January 2016. Gnanasara Thero interrupting court proceedings, insulted the Senior State Counsel handling the complaint and contempt of court.

The Court of Appeal found the defendant guilty of all charges and imposed 19 years of imprisonment, to be served in 6 years.