Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena has issued a warrant for the arrest of Bodu Bala Sena leader Galabadaaththe Gnanasara Thero. The warrant was issued today (19) after the Thero failed to appear in court in connection with a case involving allegations of insulting Islam and disrupting religious harmony.
The Colombo Crimes Division filed the case under Section 291(b) of the Penal Code, citing that the Thero’s statement at a media conference in Kirulapana on July 8, 2016, disrupted religious harmony and amounted to an offense punishable by law.
The suspect’s legal counsel informed the court that Gnanasara Thero was unable to attend the hearing due to receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Colombo.
The verdict in the case was scheduled to be delivered during today’s proceedings. However, after reviewing the circumstances, Additional Magistrate Amarasena issued a warrant for Gnanasara Thero’s arrest and instructed the bailiff to take necessary action.
