Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary, Venerable Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara Thero, made an emotional plea to the Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court, requesting to be executed immediately following his sentencing.
The court had imposed a nine-month suspended prison sentence on the Thero for making remarks offensive to Islam, which were deemed to have violated ethnic harmony.
During the sentencing, Gnanasara Thero declared, “I am a Buddhist monk. I have been working against Islamic extremism for 20 years. Please order me to be executed without any delay.”
In response, the judge explained that the court’s authority was limited to addressing the specifics of the case and delivering a judgment. The request for execution, the judge clarified, falls outside the jurisdiction of the court.
The judge further advised the Thero that if he disagreed with the verdict, he had the legal right to appeal to a higher court.
The case, stemming from remarks made during a media conference in 2016, has reignited debates about free speech, religious sensitivity, and the boundaries of lawful expression in Sri Lanka. Gnanasara Thero’s dramatic request underscores the deep personal and public tensions surrounding the issue.
The Thero’s statement has drawn mixed reactions, with some praising his dedication to his cause while others have criticized the divisive nature of his rhetoric.
