Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Arrest warrants issued for Bodu Bala Sena leader Gnanasara
The Colombo High Court and Court of Appeal have issued separate arrest warrants for Bodu Bala Sena general secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara in connection with an alleged inflammatory statement against Islam.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Legal action against the prominent Buddhist nationalist figure intensified this week as both courts moved to apprehend him. The High Court issued one warrant while the Court of Appeal subsequently issued an open warrant, marking an escalation in the case against Gnanasara.
The warrants stem from allegations that Gnanasara made a statement deemed insulting to Islam. The Court of Appeal's decision to issue an open warrant came approximately two weeks after an earlier court order in the matter was rescinded, according to court records.
Gnanasara has served as general secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist organization that has drawn scrutiny for its nationalist positions and controversial public statements. The dual warrants represent significant legal pressure on the religious leader as authorities pursue the case.
The case underscores ongoing tensions surrounding religious discourse in Sri Lanka, where inflammatory statements attributed to religious figures have periodically triggered legal intervention by the courts.