The case filed against Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Organization, for allegedly making statements that were insulting to Islam and the Holy Quran in 2014, was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika Sri Ragala. The judge ordered that further proceedings be adjourned until June 26.
The Attorney General has filed these indictments against Venerable Gnanasara Thero, alleging that he made statements that were insulting to Islam and the Holy Quran near the Kompanyaveediya Police Station on or about April 12, 2014.
During the trial, the defense attorney informed the court that the statements allegedly made by his client about 12 years ago were made for the good of the country, targeting certain extremist groups in the country.
The government attorney, who presented evidence before the court on behalf of the Attorney General, said that the plaintiff has not yet taken steps to produce the CDs containing the relevant controversial statements to the court.
After considering the submissions of both parties, the High Court judge ordered the case to be recalled on June 26 for further preliminary proceedings.
Senior attorney Asoka Weerasuriya, along with Sanjaya Marambe, Akarsha Weerasuriya and Pasan Karunaratne, appeared on behalf of Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.