Gnanasara Thero’s bail application rejected

The Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday rejected a bail application filed by lawyers for Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagoda aththe Gnanasara, who was remanded on Tuesday for contempt of court.

Dismissing the motion, Magistrate Dissanayake proclaimed in open court that even if a pistol were held to his head, he would not change orders made from the bench.

The Magistrate, who has been hailed for his courage to arrest and remand the controversial Bodu Bala Sena monk, said it was unsuitable for him to hear Gnanasara Thero’s case.

He said he had already reached out to the Attorney General for advice on the matter.

Meanwhile Homagama police yesterday arrested one suspect that created chaos outside the Homagama Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Police said they also seized a three wheeler that had attempted to block the path of the Prison bus that was transporting the controversial Buddhist monk to remand custody.

An attempt to hold a demonstration against the arrest of Gnanasara Thero in Mawanella yesterday was also thwarted Mawanella Magistrate L.K. Mahinda, who issued an injunction against the scheduled protest. (DB)