Sri Lanka: Galagodaatte Gnanasara, a hardline Sri Lankan monk and close ally of ousted former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for insulting Islam and inciting religious hatred. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court delivered the sentence, relating to remarks he made in 2016.
Sri Lanka rarely convicts Buddhist monks, making this sentence particularly significant. This marks the second time Gnanasara has been imprisoned, as he has faced numerous accusations of hate crimes and anti-Muslim violence over the years.
In December, Gnanasara was halted for comments he made during a 2016 media conference, where he directed derogatory statements towards Islam. The court emphasised that all citizens, regardless of religion, are entitled to the freedom of belief under Sri Lanka’s Constitution.
Along with the prison sentence, Gnanasara was also fined $5 (1,500 Sri Lankan rupees). Should he fail to pay the fine, an additional month of imprisonment will be added. The monk has filed an appeal against the verdict.
Gnanasara’s close relationship with the Rajapaksa regime is well-documented. He was a vocal advocate of Rajapaksa during his presidency and even headed a presidential task force on legal reforms aimed at promoting religious harmony. However, after mass protests led to Rajapaksa’s resignation in 2022, Gnanasara faced legal challenges, including a previous belief related to hate speech against Sri Lanka’s Muslim minority.
In 2019, Gnanasara received a presidential pardon for a separate conviction related to pressure and contempt of court, serving just nine months of a six-year sentence.
The monk’s continued legal battles reflect ongoing tensions in Sri Lanka regarding religious discrimination and the complex political landscape following Rajapaksa’s exit.
TOP PICKS | China expands trade-in discounts to boost economy
