Sri Lankan President rejects resignation of Justice Minister

Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has rejected the resignation of Justice Minister, and long-time ally, Ali Sabry who has expressed disappointment over the establishment of a Presidential Task Force headed by the notorious extremist monk, and ex-convict, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara.

Sabry has told reports that his resignation now “is in a sort of limbo”.

The Presidential Task Force for “One Country, One Law” has faced severe criticism from numerous human rights organisations including Sri Lanka’s Bar Association (BASL) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ). The ICJ warned that the task force may be used to target minorities and highlighted the Gnanasara record of imprisonment for contempt of court and being “openly violent and racist”.

They further highlighted the lack of Tamil and female representation on the task force. The board consists of nine Sinhalese, including monks from the extremist Bodu Bala Sena, and four Muslims.

Gnanasara was previously found guilty on two counts and sentenced to 6 months in prison for threatening the wife of Prageeth Eknaligoda; a critic of the then government in 2010. He was released from prison following a presidential pardon.

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