Bodubala Sena (BBS) Organization Leader Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was yesterday sentenced to four years’ rigorous imprisonment for making a controversial statement at a press conference which was convened on the Kuragala ancient Buddhist Monastery, that violated inter-ethnic and religious harmony, by the Colombo High Court.
In addition to the sentence, the accused Ven.Gnanasara was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.100,000 for both charges by the Colombo High Court.
Following a lengthy trial, Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige observed that the prosecution had been able to prove the allegations against the accused beyond reasonable doubts.
Delivering the judgement, the Colombo High Court Judge pointed out that the statements made by the accused in the pertinent press conference were deliberately made and cannot be considered as trivial statements. Considering the evidence that transpired during the trial, the Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige ordered to sentence the accused for two years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 50, 000 for each charge. The accused was also ordered to serve the sentence separately.
Accordingly, total imprisonment period stands for four years and a fine of Rs.100,000 was imposed for both charges. Another two years’ imprisonment was also imposed if the fine was not paid, by the Colombo High Court. At a previous occasion, Ven.Gnanasara made a statement from the dock claiming that the case was only brought up in relation to a portion of the press conference and that he had no intention of disparaging any faith, particularly Islam. He sought public forgiveness from the Muslim Community for making those remarks if they had offended anyone.
The case was filed by the Attorney General under two counts under Section 296 (b) of the Penal Code, following a complaint lodged by Azad Sally against a controversial statement made by Ven. Gnanasara at a press conference which was held during a period of November 1, 2016 and December 16, 2016.
State Counsel Lakmali Dissanayake appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.
