Magistrate orders arrest of Gnanasara Thera

Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake yesterday ordered the police to arrest and produce in Court, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera over several offences including obstructing Court proceedings.

Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda’s wife gestures as the thera addresses open court

In a surprising turn of events, Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera began to address Open Court after the court hearing pertaining to the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda was over.

Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera addressed Open Court.

Addressing the Court, Gnanasara Thera praised the Army officers’ role in eradicating terrorism in the country and reprimanded the government and the Attorney General Department’s Senior State Counsel for giving instruction to arrest Army officers in connection with journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda’s disappearance.

He said the Senior State Counsel involved in the case should also be arrested for instructing police to arrest the soldiers.

The Magistrate attempted to explain the situation but the Thera continued to address Court reprimanding the government and the Attorney General’s Department.

Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma and Senior State Counsel Dileepa Peiris who were present in Court moved that legal action be taken against the Thera for creating such an unruly situation in Court.

They further observed that it was an act tantamount to obstructing court proceedings and Court should not allow such action to take place.