“Don’t Label Gnanasara Thera as Racist” - Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Warns Government

Advocate Manoj Gamage has accused the present government of associating with groups allegedly influenced by ISIS ideology, claiming that Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera is prepared to provide evidence regarding the matter.

Gamage made these remarks at a press conference held on October 15, 2026, at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) headquarters on Nelum Mawatha in Battaramulla.

Addressing the media, Gamage also criticised the government over the legal action taken against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s wife, Shiranthi Rajapaksa, while the former president continues to receive hospital treatment.

He accused the government of pursuing political vendettas against Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom he credited with playing a key role in ending the country's war.

Gamage urged responsible media organisations not to circulate what he described as false claims on social media that Shiranthi Rajapaksa had been admitted to hospital due to an illness fabricated for political purposes.

He said medical reports obtained through court orders had recommended urgent cardiac surgery and warned that questioning medical findings could put a patient's life at risk.

“The government should not play with human life,” he said, calling for the matter to be handled with due consideration for the patient's health and well-being.

Turning to Gnanasara Thera, Gamage urged the public and the media not to label the Buddhist monk a racist.

According to Gamage, information about alleged extremist ideologies linked to ISIS had been provided by innocent Muslim individuals who were themselves victims of such extremism. He said Gnanasara Thera, who is currently imprisoned, had raised concerns about Sri Lanka's future national security.

Gamage further alleged that the current government was working with groups sympathetic to ISIS ideology and accused it of jeopardising the country's national security.

“Instead of killing the messenger, consider the message he brings,” Gamage said, urging the authorities and the public to investigate the monk's claims before condemning him.

He called on the government to examine the allegations seriously and assess the information presented by Gnanasara Thera.

Concluding his remarks, Gamage said the SLPP was requesting the President to consider granting a presidential pardon to Gnanasara Thera in accordance with the law.

The allegations made at the press conference have been presented as claims by Gamage and were not independently verified in his remarks.