Kiriella Defends Remarks Amid Media Pressure
Former Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella defended remarks he recently made regarding the case involving Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, during a tense media interaction in which journalists repeatedly questioned him over comments linked to minority communities and government policy. Kiriella began by referring to a recent meeting between a delegation from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Most Venerable Mahanayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter. According to Kiriella, the delegation had not visited to create controversy but to point out that the Executive President possesses the authority to issue directives in certain circumstances. He said he had informed the Mahanayake Thero that until any necessary legal framework is put in place to provide relief to Venerable Gnanasara Thero, the President has the authority to intervene and grant relief through available powers. However, the media briefing quickly became heated when journalists questioned Kiriella regarding previous comments in which he had suggested that actions involving Gnanasara Thero were linked to attempts to win over minority voters. Journalists challenged him over whether such statements implied that minority communities supported the removal of a monk's robes or took satisfaction in the situation surrounding Gnanasara Thero. Kiriella repeatedly rejected that interpretation, insisting that he had been criticizing what he described as government policy. When questioned further, he urged journalists to repeat his exact words rather than what he said were interpretations of his remarks. As journalists continued to press him for clarification, Kiriella maintained that his comments were directed at the government's political strategy and not at minority communities. He argued that he was expressing his view on government policy and suggested that those offended by his criticism were effectively defending the government. Several journalists countered that his comments could be interpreted as linking minority communities to the issue surrounding Gnanasara Thero and questioned whether such statements could contribute to ethnic divisions. In response, Kiriella repeatedly asked journalists to read his full statement in context. Speaking partly in English, he stated: "I am a lawyer. Kindly read it whole and then read why I criticize government policy." He went on to argue that his criticism was based on what he viewed as a decline in the government's electoral support and maintained that his comments were directed at political calculations rather than any specific community. The exchange grew increasingly tense as journalists sought a direct answer to whether he believed actions taken against Gnanasara Thero were intended to attract minority votes. Kiriella repeatedly responded with, "Any other questions?" and later stated, "I've answered all the questions." Journalists continued to challenge him, arguing that he had not directly addressed the concerns being raised.
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