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Defamation case: Gnanasara Thera granted bail
The Colombo High Court yesterday (25) released on bail Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who was sentenced on 09 January, 2025, for a nine-month jail term for making defamatory comments on Islam.
The court issued the order after examining a revision petition filed by the counsel for Gnanasara Thera. They sought bail pending the hearing of an appeal filed related to the case and the announcement of a final decision.
The Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena also ordered the imposition of a fine of Rs. 1,500 on the defendant.
Police had filed this case against Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera under Section 291 of the Penal Code. The police alleged that the Thera violated ethnic harmony by declaring, “Islam is a cancer… it must be eradicated” during a press conference held at Kirulapone on July 16, 2016.