Gnanasara Thera sentenced to 4 years in prison for defaming Islam

28 March 2024 10:42 am - 69 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 28 (Daily Mirror) - Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera was today sentenced to four-year-rigorous imprisonment for making a hate speech against the Islamic religion on Kuragala Temple.

Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige further ordered Gnanasara Thera to pay a fine of Rs.100,000 for making hate speech on Kuragala Temple during a press conference held in Colombo.

The Attorney General had filed indictment against Gnanasara Thera for making a deliberate and malicious statement between November 1, 2016 and December 16, 2016 at Kirulapone, which intended to outrage Islamic religious feelings, by insulting Islamic religious beliefs.

True Citizen Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:54 AM

Good lesson for people who thought they are above the law and the people who overjoyed the racial spring they had since 2019

Sandun Pathirana Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:50 PM

saadu ! saadu !! saadu!!!

E Sarath Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:57 AM

God’s mill grinds slow, but sure.

Rohan Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:04 AM

Mark my words..he will fall ill!

last chance Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:40 PM

yes tomorrow there will be a medical certificate and the nigantaya will be in the prison hospital

Mahila Friday, 29 March 2024 02:12 AM

Meaning seeking License, SPECIAL 'Prison' Admission!!??

Priyan66 Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:10 AM

Very good lesson for all extremists

Nimal Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:11 AM

We have the deepest respect for our High Courts. What this judgement emphasises is that any citizen of this country, has an inherent right to walk our streets in peace, his head erect and free from fear.

ishi Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:16 AM

Finally, justice served.

Patcitz Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:27 PM

No, Ranil induced, once again, hatred feelings against ISLAM, this trick will cause many an issue that will surely lead to uncontrollable VIOLANCE.

Banda Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:23 AM

Lol I love elections

Every 2 years. Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:10 PM

Me too. Wish the constitution is amended to have elections every 2 years. LOL..LOL..

visnu Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:27 AM

Wimale where are you JATHIYANTHARA KUMANTHARAYAK bole.

M. E. Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:45 AM

Trying to get loan and aid from Middle East countries.

Anuruddha heenetigala Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:55 AM

Ah, another circus. Waiting for see him released just before the elections.

Dan Friday, 29 March 2024 04:25 AM

Probably he won't be released. To those in the government Muslim

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:59 AM

Justice delayed is justice denied. Excellent News. If this order is carried out to the letter, this will show Sri Lanka has reformed, is on the right track of law and order and promising a future of development. However, now the internal wheels of extremism by powerful monks and their Politicians will begin.

Atha Katha Somay (Only Truth) Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:00 PM

He is backed by Mahinda, Basil and Gota who are the enemies of Muslims and Tamils. They pay him in billions and this rotter will open his mouth like a lunatic.

Thakkan Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:19 PM

This would not have taken place during Rajapakses regime. Hope they would not come again to ruin this country.

Mohamed Junaideen Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:08 PM

Unlike Sirisena, Ranil should not rush to pardon him. This fellow should spend time in jail. He is an outcast and a misfit to society.

Citizen k Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:08 PM

Finally justice is served.

Mandayan Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:15 PM

Oh, now one will pardon you!

Mokan Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:21 PM

He deserve it

saman Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:25 PM

what happened to the legislation of "one law one country". we read that he was given that job. Now sitting in jail, he can count the Sinhalese going to be the minority in this country.

ANNECUNT Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:32 PM

it is also time to send mahinda and his immediate family to prison for corruption

Avanka Perera Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:38 PM

This is very good because he was instrumental creating religious disharmony and supporting corrupt politicians

CitizenP Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:41 PM

Excellent decision.

Anil Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:51 PM

Why call a prisoner as Venerable or Thero. He should be just Galabodaaththe Gnanasara.

Swarnamali Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:56 PM

Hope Presidential pardons will not take place this time.

DOT Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:20 PM

Elections gimmick or freedom of speech or genuine reaction?

Kathirgaman Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:22 PM

Four years prison is not enough for this thug

Sandy Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:25 PM

A little restraint in speech is good when people who silently support terrorism are playing dirty game

kosala bandara Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:33 PM

no fan of Thera. But what he said about Kuragala was true.

RF Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:50 PM

Then why did he apologise??

Mahila Friday, 29 March 2024 02:09 AM

Which Part of What he said is TRUE!!??? Specify!!

Think about it Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:02 PM

The problem is this verdict would be used as precedent in future and so many people making any controversial speech would end up in prison. This against our Sri Lankan tradition. We are following the Western countries where there is no freedom of speech, the law in those countries are all around 24/7. We should enact laws in our country that doesn’t send people to prison for making hate speech but they should face heavy fines.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:32 PM

Freedom of Speech is not desecrating any religion, race or caste. Freedom is also not about walking into a Court of Law and desecrate the Magistrate. Freedom of Speech is also not mouthing utter filth in public places targeting Public Officers.

Kulesh Thursday, 28 March 2024 06:20 PM

I don't think we want the freedom of the wild ass in Sri Lanka. The west does not practice what they preach. They have selective justice in the west. A good example is the circuses in town these days around the application of justice for a Mr Trump.

C Fernando Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:13 PM

Must be an election ploy to win the votes of the Muslim community!

WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET DISTRACTED FROM THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. BRING ALL THOSE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE DIRECTLY/INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COUNTRY'S DOWNFALL BEFORE A Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:14 PM

GREAT NEWS. HOWEVER,THE GOVERNMENT AND DECISION MAKERS HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE DEMENTIA MENTALITY IN THE BIGGEST ISSUE RANIL AND THE GOVERNMENT HAVE EVADED AND SWIPED UNDER THE CARPET, THAT IS TAKING ALL THOSE AND THEIR STOOGES IN GOVERNMENT ND PUBLIC BEFORE A COURT OF LAW FOR FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DOWNFALL OF THE COUNTRY AND THIS WOULD REQUIRE YEARS OF THE RAJAPASKE RULE TO START WITH, SINCE RANIL WAS APPOINTED BY GOTA. ALL THOSE IN GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE AND OR THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO PUT FORWARD WHATEVER INFORMATION THEY HAVE AND OR KNOW ABOUT CORRUPTION IN THE PAST AND PRESENT GOVERNMNT AND PUBLICE OFFICES/INSTRTUTIONS. THIS WILL ENABLE CASES TO BE BROUGHT TO COURT THAT GO TO PROVE RESULTED IN THE DOWNFALL OF THE COUNTRY AND OR ANY CORRUPTION ALONG THE YEARS OF THE RAJAPASKE RULE. THE PEOPLE WANT AND DEMAN JUSTICE IS SERVED TO ITS PEOPLE. ALL THESE SIDE DISHES BEFORE A ELECTION IS JUST DISTRACTION THE PUBLIC FROM THE MAIN ISSUE ABOVE.

Nihal S Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:17 PM

Very good. Why was he silent all these recent times. I hardy heard him talking after 2019 - which was very unusual. May be Rajapakse's stopped paying him?

Ronald Rud Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:35 PM

Our judicial sysyem must maintain high priority in all issues that effect the country Corruption bribery influences

Ranil in Hell Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:37 PM

Ranil/SLPP lost the iota of chance winning the election. Sadly these are election tricks to get minority votes .

They enjoyed super power through fear psychosis Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:19 PM

Why go for minority vote which is less 20%, while the majority votes are around 65%? The sensible thing is to go for a share of 65% majority votes. This is what Rajapassas and SWRD did in the past. Gota made a super show with the singing Cobra and fear psychosis! They got the result to enjoy!

Tom Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:42 PM

Looks like our justice system can work if politicians doesn't meddle. SriLankans need to choose their rulers wisely though!

sobers Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:43 PM

If this country needs to be developed, firstly all racists should be punished. United we win, Divided we lose.

In every community Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:24 PM

I believe you mean from every community. There are plenty in every community.

gffernando Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:44 PM

next batticaloa thero

Vivek Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:59 PM

He can’t be touched because he is above the laws

Lankan Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:53 PM

I have seen this kind of drama previously before a national election.

Disciplinarian Thursday, 28 March 2024 03:28 PM

We salute the court of law. Discipline in the country should be maintained. All should follow law and order. Catch the cocaine dealers put them into prison and give them intensive rehabilitation lessons. If there is bribery and corruption, rape ,sentences should be imprisonment if proved beyond doubt.

Statue of Liberty Thursday, 28 March 2024 03:37 PM

Offence committed on Nov/Dec 2016. Sentence just before a major election in 2024. Coincidence?

Imcanes Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:14 PM

Elections some time soon right ???

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:17 PM

All speeches by religious or others will be monitored now and let us see how in future these cases are handled.

Anthony. R Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:17 PM

Hail to the Judiciary!!! God's wrath is sure,there's No way out of Repercussions. Sadhu,sadhu,saadhu

himco Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:21 PM

Pre election drama to advise the 69 mil intelligence voters. Hurray. Post elections Gnanasara 2.0 will begin. Shamless nation useless racial politics to survive.

Bandusena Thursday, 28 March 2024 05:15 PM

There are couple of others in yellow robe who behave in the same manner disrespecting the great philosophy stood by and supported by Mina, Caputa and Gota clan for their political end.

Anne Fez Thursday, 28 March 2024 05:37 PM

Who's next to wind up in jail? Think I know the answer and,I hope I'm right !

Boomerang Thursday, 28 March 2024 06:03 PM

Comments full from minority

Kumar Thursday, 28 March 2024 06:54 PM

Next year presidential parden he will be out.

Ssz khan Thursday, 28 March 2024 07:55 PM

What about punishment for RATNA THERA and Gammanpola and veeraavaansa

Sunil Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:58 PM

Let’s see how long he stays in prison vs. the sentence for Ranjan

ranjit Friday, 29 March 2024 12:34 AM

no he wont go to prison, he will be in a sick bed for a month or so and then get the presidental pardon/release Typical SL justice,

VJ Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:54 PM

Where is the Kiri bath?

pantha kumaran Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:00 PM

I am sure he will go to prison hospital. Then he will be pardoned by Ranil at the request of Gota.

Patcitz Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:24 PM

Ranil, a leader of DEAD party, and ultimate loser of elections, has started playing politics under the US command.

Smh Friday, 29 March 2024 02:50 AM

Too much involvement in politics.

Ismet Zaheed Friday, 29 March 2024 04:01 AM

I am not sure whether he will be sent to a 5-star hotel a.k.a "Prison Hospital" until he gets a pardon!

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 30 March 2024 03:17 AM

It is interesting to know what exactly he said? Did he say anything against the Religion or against the actions of those who follow that religion? These are two different types of statements.

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Gnanasara Thera sentenced to 4 years in prison for defaming Islam

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