The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested popular YouTube political

commentator Sepal Amarasinghe at Bellanwila last evening (5) for making

disrespectful comments about the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada

Maligawa) in Kandy.

The public complaints division of the CID commenced an investigation into the

matter after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne received

written complaints in this regard.

Speaking on the matter, a senior police officer stated that facts were presented to

the court in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Chief Prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters, Most Ven.

Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera and Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri

Gnanarathana Thera had written to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, raising

concerns about the offensive statements by Amarasinghe.

They urged the Government to take necessary measures to nip the matter in the

bud.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who addressed the

Parliament earlier today, vowed legal action against Amarasinghe, stressing that

the religious harmony in the country cannot be allowed to be disrupted.

Pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act,

No. 56 of 2007, propagating war or advocating national, racial, or religious hatred

that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is a punishable

offense with rigorous imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.

Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an immediate and

comprehensive investigation into the construction of a fake Temple of the Tooth

Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Pothuhera, Kurunegala.

Accordingly, necessary instructions were given to Inspector General of Police (IGP)

C.D. Wickramaratne in this regard, after Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of

Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters reported the incident to the President.