Less than four months after a Sri Lankan High Court sentenced racist Buddhist monk Gnanasara Thero to four years of rigorous imprisonment for defamatory remarks he made against the Muslim community, he was released on bail. The order was issued when the revision petition was filed by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero and was taken up for consideration.
The Colombo High Court handed down a sentence of four years of rigorous imprisonment to Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara and a fine of Rs.100,000 over anti-Muslim remarks he made in 2016 during a press conference.
The Colombo High Court judge also instructed that an additional year of imprisonment be added if he fails to pay the imposed fine. The verdict comes weeks after Gnanasara made an apology over his anti-Muslim remarks. He had told courts from the dock that he was remorseful if the remarks had caused distress.
However, delivering the verdict High Court Judge Adithya Patapendi declared Gnanasara guilty on the two charges of causing harm and provoking religious animosity by insulting Islamic religious beliefs. These statements were made on two occasions between November 2016 and December 2016.
In courts today, a Court of Appeal bench led by Justice Sampath Abeykoon, set the bail at Rs. 50,000 in cash and two personal sureties amounting to Rs. 500,000 each.
