Court rejects Gnanasara Thera’s bail application

The Colombo Additional Magistrate has rejected a bail application submitted on behalf of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera who was issued a 09 months simple imprisonment today. 

It is reported that even though Ven. Gnanasara Thera had filed an appeal against the sentence, his attorneys had requested bail pending the hearing of the appeal and the announcement of a final decision.

Earlier today, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court sentenced Ven. Gnanasara Thera to 09 months simple imprisonment over the case related to the defamation of Islam. 

Issuing the sentence, the Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena also imposed a fine of Rs. 1500 on Gnanasara Thera. 

The sentence was issued regarding an arrest warrant that was previously issued to Gnanasara Thera for failing to appear in court. 

In 2024, the Colombo High Court sentenced the Buddhist monk to four years of rigorous imprisonment for statements made in 2016 that were deemed harmful to national and religious harmony.

The case centred around remarks made by Ven. Gnanasara Thera concerning the Kuragala Buddhist Temple, during a press briefing in Colombo in 2016. (Islandnews)