Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera has been sentenced to four years of rigourous imprisonment (RI) for making defamatory comments against Islam eight years ago in late 2016.

The verdict was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige yesterday (28) while imposing a fine of Rs. 100,000 on the monk.

He was accused of making defamatory comments against Islam during a 2016 media briefing convened on the Kuragala ancient Buddhist monastery, causing damage to national and religious harmony.

The Judge found the monk guilty of the two indictments filed by the Attorney General under the Penal Code. Accordingly, the accused was sentenced to two years of RI for each indictment and was imposed two fines of Rs. 50,000 each. He also ordered that the two sentences be served separately. Gnanasara Thera’s prison sentence will be extended by two more years in the event of his failure to pay the fine.

Presenting submissions before the Court during yesterday’s proceedings, the defence attorney argued that his client’s remarks were based on the situation that prevailed in the country at the time.

However, the Judge, delivering the verdict, ruled that the allegations levelled against Gnanasara Thera by the prosecution have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, adding that it became evident during the trial that the statement in question was not ‘accidental’ but ‘deliberate’. Pointing out that such statements disrupt the religious harmony and unity in the country, the Judge emphasised that the accused failed to fulfil his responsibility as a religious leader who is entrusted with maintaining inter-faith harmony.

Further, the Judge informed Gnanasara Thera that he is allowed to appeal the verdict.

The case had been filed based on a complaint filed by former Parliamentarians Mujibur Rahman and Azath Salley.

Photo © Venura Chandramalitha