Colombo High Court rejects Gnanasara Thera’s appeal - Confirms nine month prison sentence

Police subsequently filed charges against him under the Penal Code 

By Bhagya Silva   

The Colombo High Court today upheld the sentence imposed by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who was convicted of making statements insulting Islam and inciting disharmony among religious communities.   

High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne dismissed the appeal filed by Ven. Gnanasara Thera seeking to set aside his conviction and sentence and to be acquitted.   

The case arose from a media briefing held in Kirulapone in 2016, during which the Thera allegedly made remarks insulting the Islamic faith, thereby acting in a manner prejudicial to religious harmony. Police subsequently filed charges against him under the Penal Code.    

Following the trial, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, on January 9, 2025, found Ven. Gnanasara Thera guilty and sentenced him to nine months’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 1,500.   

Dissatisfied with the verdict, the Thera filed an appeal before the Colombo High Court seeking to overturn the conviction and sentence.   

Delivering judgment after hearing the appeal, Judge Thilakaratne observed that making statements which undermine religious harmony is contrary to the law. The Judge further emphasized that preventing such conduct is both a legal obligation and a responsibility of the courts.   

Accordingly, the High Court held that the decision of the Additional Magistrate to convict and sentence the appellant was lawful and found no basis to interfere with the judgment. The appeal was therefore dismissed, and the original sentence of nine months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,500 was affirmed.