Ven. Gnanasara Thero released on bail

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero, who surrendered to courts this morning, has been released on the previous bail.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered the Thero released and postponed the case till August 09.

Ven. Gnanasara Thero had surrendered to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (21) after an arrest warrant was issued against him on June 15.

The arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear before the court with regard to the case filed against him and seven others on 8 charges including forcefully entering and sabotaging a press conference held at a hotel in Slave Island (on April 09, 2014), criminal force and minor assault.

Meanwhile Ven. Gnanasara Thero has also been charged with a case for insulting a religion.

A manhunt was launched for the hard-line Buddhist leader after a series of attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses that authorities accuse him of encouraging.

A warrant was also issued for the Thero’s arrest in May on allegations of obstructing the police from exercising their duties in addition to making hate speeches in several places.