Body Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera will be released from prison this afternoon, sources close to him said.

They added that President Maithtripala Sirisena signed the papers relating to Ganansara Thera's release yesterday and they were sent to the Justice Ministry.

The monk was convicted for Contempt of Court last year and was senteneced to a 6-year imprisonment.

Gnansara Thera Will be released on a special presidential pardon granted by President Sirisena.

The controversial monk's release follows a meeting he had with President Sirisena in Welikada prison over the weekend.

The Presidential Secretariat called for a report from the Prisons Department on Tuesday on the conduct of Gnanasara Thera while in prison.