Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera | |
|---|---|
පූජ්ය ගලගොඩඅත්තේ ඥානසාර හිමි | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Galagodaaththa, Galle, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Notable work(s) | Bodu Bala Sena |
| Alma mater | Sarananda Piriwena Wathuravila Aranya Senasanaya University of Kelaniya University of Sri Jayewardenepura |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
Galagoda Aththe GnanasaraThera (Sinhala:පූජ්ය ගලගොඩඅත්තේ ඥානසාර හිමි) is the Secretary General ofBodu Bala Sena, aSinhalese Buddhist nationalist organisation.[1][2] He was born in Galagodaaththa in the southern district ofGalle. Gnanasara Thera has become a notable figure due to his brash behavior, run-ins with the law, andultranationalistic rhetoric.[3]
Gnanasara Thera came from a family of modest means, and grew up alongside several siblings.[3] Gnanasara Thera says that he began living amonastic life inSri Lanka's tropical forests, living in cave-like dwellings, and imposing a harsh disciplinary routine on himself.[3] However, a November 2025 piece byThe Guardian reported that "anyone familiar with the man" disputed such an origin story, and that it was contended that he was actually a "small-time thug who had donned the robes to avoid prison time".[3]
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was educated at Wathuravila Aranya Senasanaya in Galle, before moving to Sarananda Piriwena inAnuradhapura andVidyodaya University inColombo. He studied Buddhism (BA, MBA) atKelaniya University. He worked as a principal at Kalapaluwaw Piriwena.[clarification needed][citation needed]
During the mid-2000s, Gnanasara Thera joined theSinhalese Buddhist nationalistJathika Hela Urumaya, the world’s first political party formed entirely of Buddhist monks.[3] He stood for aparliamentary election, which he lost.[3] Gnanasara Thera subsequently formed a close relationship with theRajapaksa family, a prominentpolitical dynasty in the country.[3]
Gnanasara Thera co-founded the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalistBodu Bala Sena (BBS) in 2012, which quickly rose to prominence due to his speeches at their rallies.[3] At one speech, Gnanasara Thera said that "this country still has a Sinhala police, a Sinhala army. After today if a single [Muslim] or some other [minority] touches a Sinhalese … it will be their end."[3]
In June 2014, Gnanasara Thera led a rally in the town ofAluthgama, following an argument between a localBuddhist monk and a group ofMuslim youths.[3] Addressing a crowd of about 7,000 people, he declared that "enough is enough" and urged attendees to "fight" Sri Lanka's minorities.[3] Hours later,anti-Muslim riots broke out in the town, with rioters beating local Muslims, looting Muslim-owned shops, and burning the homes of local Muslims.[3] When contacted by CNN that night, Gnanasara Thera said he was unavailable for comment, but another official from the BBS said Gnanasara Thera "spoke in strong words. He blessed the people after chanting verses. He preached to them to conduct themselves peacefully".[3]
In June 2017, the Police Organised Crimes Prevention Division arrested Gnanasara Thera on allegations of obstructing a police officer inWelikada, following a multi-week manhunt. He was arrested after appearing at a police station to give a statement, and later released on bail.[2][4][5]
In February 2018, Gnanasara Thera appeared in the town ofDigana, following a murder perpetrated by a group of Muslim men against a Sinhalese Buddhist truck driver.[3] Hours later,riots broke out in the town, and rioters destroyed hundreds of homes and shops, dozens of vehicles, and nearly two dozenmosques andHindu temples.[3] While the government subsequently arrested over 100 people, Gnanasara Thera was never approached by the police.[3]
Gnanasara Thera was convicted of being in contempt of court, but was released on 23 May 2019 after having been given a presidential pardon.[6][7]
He is currently the Chairman of Presidential Task Force.
Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was arrested by the Police Organized Crimes Prevention Division a short while ago for allegedly obstructing the duty of a police officer in Welikada. The Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero was arrested when he arrived at the division to give a statement this afternoon. He was released on bail after being produced in the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.
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