Colombo High Court Upholds 9-Month Sentence for Gnanasara Thero Over Religious Insult Charges

Colombo High Court has upheld a nine-month prison sentence and a Rs. 1500 fine against Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero, General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena. The sentence, originally issued by the Colombo Magistrate's Court, relates to charges of making remarks insulting Islam and the Quran, which allegedly disrupted inter-ethnic harmony. The High Court rejected the prelate's appeal, affirming that statements undermining religious harmony are illegal. The case, stemming from alleged remarks made in 2014 or 2016, was called for a preliminary hearing, with the court scheduling the next proceedings for June 26.