Court issues warrant for arrest of BBS’ Ven. Gnanasara Thera

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera after he failed to appear in court to face charges of unlawfully assembling in front of the Bribery Commission.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 24 April issued notice to 27 people, including ten Parliamentarians and Gnanasara Thera, to appear before court on contempt of court charges concerning the demonstration. The Magistrate also issued an order banning protests in front of the Bribery Commission on the particular day.

However, on 8 May the court later granted bail to the MPs involved in the case. Nevertheless, as Gnanasara Thera failed to appear in person before the court, the Magistrate issued a warrant. A police team has also been deployed at the airport to arrest the BBS General Secretary upon his return to the country.