The overseas travel ban imposed on pastor Jerome Fernando has been lifted by the Court.

The order was issued when the case filed against Fernando was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court (MC) yesterday (5). The Court had previously imposed a foreign travel ban on Fernando in connection with the case filed against him for allegedly making derogatory statements about other religions.

The controversial pastor was arrested on 1 December 2023 after a video of one of his sermons, containing alleged derogatory statements regarding other religions, went viral on social media. After months of controversy over his remarks, Fernando returned to the island on 29 November 2023. Fernando had initially provided a statement to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on 30 November 2023 for around eight hours. This was after the Court of Appeal issued an interim order on 17 November 2023, directing the CID not to arrest him upon his arrival in Sri Lanka. The order also mandated Fernando to record a statement with the CID’s Cyber Crime Investigation Division within 48-hours of his return. The Colombo Fort MC granted bail to Fernando on 3 January 2024. Despite being granted bail, the Court imposed travel restrictions on Fernando, prohibiting him from leaving the country, and on the strict condition that he refrain from making any such statements in the future that could disturb religious harmony.