Colombo, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday 21 ordered the release of SL-Vlog owner Bruno Divakara, who is said to have released the video of Natasha Edirisuriya, who is currently in custody, on the internet.
Also, the magistrate ordered to remand Natasha Edirisuriya, who is accused of insulting Buddhism in a comedy program called Modabhimana, until July 5.
Natasha Edirisuriya was arrested on the charge of making a statement insulting Buddhism and Bruno Divakara was arrested on the charges of aiding and abetting her. He was released on bail saying that the prosecution did not present enough facts that he contributed to this crime.
The Magistrate ordered that the suspect be released on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of two million rupees each. The suspect’s foreign travel was banned and ordered that the Immigration Department be informed about it.The Magistrate also ordered to submit the residence certificates of the guarantors while executing the bail order.
The Magistrate further said, “This suspect deliberately did not give her copy out of the six copies to be given to the Censor Board. The controversial statement has created a disturbance among Buddhists. The biography of the Buddha cannot be recorded in a period of 44 years from the time of enlightenment. The Buddha’s character extends from the time of Deepankara Buddha to Dhathu Parinirvana in the future. The court is of the opinion that only childhood cannot be taken for granted.
“I also decided that it is the state’s responsibility to protect the priority given to Buddhism according to Article 6 of the Constitution, as well as freedom of speech according to Article 14 and Article 15.2. Accordingly, I decide that Buddha’s childhood has been blasphemed. By comparing with other religions through that act, other parties have been subjected to enmity or violence and it is clear that there is some unrest among Buddhists. A number of complaints have been received in this regard and there are indications that there may be a provocation in the society. Therefore, the magistrate ordered the further remand of the first suspect, Natasha.”
When the case was called, the plaintiffs including Balangade Kassapa Thera, who filed the complaint, appeared in court.
The Criminal Investigation Department informed the court that the suspects were arrested by the Narahenpita Computer Crime Investigation Division, Colombo under Section 3-2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act and the Penal Code.
President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for Natasha Edirisuriya while President’s Counsel Nalinda Indatissa appeared for Bruno Divakara. Attorneys Manoj Gamage and Susantha Kumara, appeared for Prabhamath Madhubhashana Ranasinghe, an aggrieved party.
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