The Colombo High Court has granted bail to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, following a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige issued this order earlier today.
On July 18, 2024, the Court of Appeal had granted bail to Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who was serving a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence for making defamatory remarks about Islam at Kuragala. The bail conditions include a monetary bond of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each. Additionally, the Appeals Court imposed a travel ban and instructed the Colombo High Court to notify the Immigration and Emigration Controller accordingly.
Earlier, on March 28, 2024, the Colombo High Court had sentenced Gnanasara Thero to four years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines totaling Rs. 100,000 for defamatory comments made during a 2016 media briefing at Kuragala Buddhist monastery, which harmed national and religious harmony.
The judge found Gnanasara Thero guilty of two charges under the Penal Code, sentencing him to two years of rigorous imprisonment for each charge, along with fines of Rs. 50,000 each, to be served consecutively. Failure to pay the fines would result in an additional two-year prison term.
During the verdict delivery, the judge emphasized that the prosecution had proven the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, noting the deliberate nature of Gnanasara Thero’s statement. The judge highlighted that such statements undermine religious harmony and criticized Gnanasara Thero for failing his duty as a religious leader entrusted with preserving inter-faith unity.
The judge also informed Gnanasara Thero of his right to appeal the verdict.
