In a rare conviction of a Buddhist monk, Galagodaatte Gnanasara is sentenced for remarks made in 2016 that insulted Islam, marking a significant legal response in Sri Lanka’s complex religious landscape.
Sri Lankan Monk Sentenced for Anti-Islam Remarks Amid National Tensions
Sri Lankan Monk Sentenced for Anti-Islam Remarks Amid National Tensions
Galagodaatte Gnanasara, a controversial Buddhist monk, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for inciting religious hatred in Sri Lanka.
A prominent Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, Galagodaatte Gnanasara, has received a nine-month prison sentence for inciting religious hatred and insulting Islam, a verdict that has sent ripples through the nation’s religious dynamics. This conviction, delivered by the Colombo Magistrate's Court on Thursday, pertains to inflammatory comments made during a media conference back in 2016.
Gnanasara, who has close ties to former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has previously faced accusations of promoting anti-Muslim violence and hate speech. This ruling comes on the heels of a prolonged history of legal troubles for the monk, marking his second imprisonment related to hate-related offenses. In 2019, he benefitted from a presidential pardon after serving only part of a six-year sentence for intimidation and contempt of court.
The court emphasized the constitutional rights for freedom of belief for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, while imposing a fine of 1,500 Sri Lankan rupees (equivalent to approximately $5). Gnanasara's lawyers sought bail pending the appeal of his newly issued sentence, which the court denied.
Gnanasara previously played a controversial role under Rajapaksa's presidency, heading a task force intended to uphold religious harmony even as he continued to face legal challenges for his inflammatory rhetoric. His earlier incarceration for similar charges was briefly interrupted by his release on bail while appealing a separate four-year sentence related to hate speech against Muslims.
This latest judicial action against Gnanasara is viewed as a significant step in addressing the intertwining challenges of religious extremism and national governance in Sri Lanka, especially following the public outcry that led to Rajapaksa's resignation amidst economic turmoil in 2022.
