Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara Thero, chairman of the One Nation, One Law Presidential Task Force and General Secretary of the BBS, who has been accused of behaving in a manner prejudicial to the harmony between the communities by making derogatory remarks against Allah and Islam, is reportedly preparing to tender a public apology in two cases filed against him.It is understood that he is preparing to make such a public apology in the case of H.C. 1948/20 filed by the Attorney General in the Colombo High Court and in the case of P.58559/3/22, which is pending before the Colombo Additional Magistrate's Court, for inciting religious sentiments by making derogatory remarks against Allah, who worships Muslims as one God.
High Court Case :
The Colombo High Court has decided to commence the hearing of witnesses against Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara Thero, the chairman of the One Nation, One Law Presidential Task Force and General Secretary of the BBS, on September 20, 2022, for making comments that affected the reconciliation between the communities. The case of HC 1948/20 came up for hearing yesterday (28) before The Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Pattabendige.
The accused, Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thero, did not appear before the court during this time. Due to the traffic problem with fuel scarcity prevailing in the country, the case was adjourned without issuing any warrant even though he did not appear in the court.
Earlier in the day, notices were sent to MP Mujibur Rahman and former Western Province Governor Asad Salih to testify in the case and they appeared before the court along with a team led by senior advocate Rushdie Habib, including advocate Wasimul Akram. At this stage, they were asked to appear before the court on September 20 to give their re-testimony.
Gnanasara Thero has been accused of holding a press conference at Kirulapana in Colombo between November 1 and 16, 2016, and making hate speeches that affect reconciliation. He has been charged by the Attorney General with committing an offence punishable under Section 291(a) of the Penal Code. Gnanasara Thero has been accused of encroaching upon the buddhist ancient monuments of Kooragala and inciting religious sentiments by making derogatory remarks against Allah, who is worshipped by Muslims as one God, while making derogatory remarks at a media briefing on the historic Balangoda Jailani Mosque issue.
The case came up for hearing at a time when the charge sheet was filed by the Attorney General against Gnanasara Thero in the High Court, focusing on the complaints lodged by former Western Province Governor Asad Salih and MP Mujibur Rahman to the police.
Advocate Sanjaya Aryadasa appeared on behalf of Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thero.
It is to be noted that the complainants have decided to look into the case after the charge sheet is handed over, as Galagoda Atthe Gnanasara Thero is trying to conclude the case amicably.
Magistrate's Court Case :
A case has been registered before the Additional Magistrate (Room No. 3) of the Colombo Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court based on a complaint filed by Rigas, a member of the Managing Council of the Borala Jumma Mosque, at the Colombo Crime Branch against gnanasara thero's statement that Islam is a cancer.
The witness hearings in the case began on The 8th of last month. Accordingly, the first witness of the complainant's side has testified in the court.
Gnanasara Thero's lawyers have informed the court that they are ready to tender a public apology in the service recipient's court with a view to concluding the case amicably.
It is to be noted that the case will come up for hearing again on July 1.
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