Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva issued a warrant today (1) for the arrest and production in court of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). The Thero had previously been sentenced to imprisonment in connection with an incident where he made statements insulting the Muslim community during media briefings.
Ven. Gnanasara Thero had filed an appeal with the Colombo High Court against the prison sentence imposed by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.
The High Court's verdict regarding that appeal was scheduled to be read out today (1) at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.
However, Ven. Gnanasara Thero did not appear in court today; the lawyer representing him stated that the Thero had been advised by doctors to observe bed rest due to an illness.
Having considered the facts presented, the Magistrate issued a warrant for the arrest of the suspect monk. The Colombo Magistrate's Court had previously imposed a nine-month prison sentence on Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.
The Magistrate ordered that the case related to the incident be called again on November 5.