Arrest warrant on Gnanasara Thera for the second time

The Colombo Magistrate Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Organization Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera as he failed to appear before the court.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne issued the arrest warrant on the controversial Buddhist monk today when he failed to appear in the court over a case pertaining to charges of disrespecting the Quran.

On Tuesday Gnanasara Thera filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an interim order preventing his arrest.

An arrest warrant was issued against Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera recently on charges of obstructing police duties, threatening police officers, instilling disunity amongst the public and spewing hateful sentiments.

The Thera, whose organization is believed to be behind the attacks on Muslim establishments, is reportedly hiding in a safe location.