Gnanasara threatens to box journalist’s ears

The Island political correspondent, C.A. Chandraprema, was threatened yesterday by Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera while the former was at the funeral of Ven. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera’s mother in Narammala.After paying his last respects to the remains of the monk’s mother Chandraprema was speaking with a Nayake Thera when Gnansara Thera accosted him, demanding to know whether he was Chandraprema. When Chandraprema answered in the affirmative, Gnanasara Thera pitched into him, saying “thamusege mama kana palanawa” (I’m going to box your ears).

Thereupon, Chandraprema told Gnansara Thera that it was Ven. Abhayatissa’s mother’s funeral and if there was anything to be discussed that should be done outside the premises, but Gnanasara Thera kept telling Chandraprema “Mama dannawa thamusege Kolapata Samajaya gena … mata puluwan thamusege kana palanna.”

Some senior monks intervened and sent Chandraprema away. Chandraprema who counts over three decades in journalism says that he has never been threatened by any politician or anyone else in that manner.