In a landmark ruling that has stirred considerable public discourse, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero has been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 rupees. This verdict came after he was found guilty of making a statement in 2016 that caused harm to national and religious harmony. The case was related to his remarks about the Kuragala Buddhist Temple during a press briefing in Colombo.
The sentence handed down to Gnanasara, a figurehead in nationalist and religious movements within Sri Lanka, underscores the nation’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and upholding the rule of law.
The case against the Buddhist monk has been closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as it navigates the complex interplay of freedom of expression and the protection of religious sensibilities.
The Colombo High Court’s decision serves as a critical juncture in the ongoing efforts to foster peace and mutual respect among Sri Lanka’s diverse religious communities.
