News

Gnanasara Thero’s bail application rejected (Update)

Published

5 months ago

January 9, 2025

editor

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (Jan. 09) rejected the bail application submitted on behalf of the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization – Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court had sentenced Gnanasara Thero, to 09 months imprisonment earlier today (Jan. 09) over his defamatory statement on the religion of Islam.

Gnanasara Thero filed an appeal against his nine-month prison sentence at the Colombo High Court through his attorneys, which was filed before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Attorney-at-Law Gamini Alwis, appearing on behalf of the Thero, presented facts requesting bail for his client pending the hearing of the appeal. He had argued that it may take a considerable amount of time for the appeal to be heard, and therefore requested the Thero’s release on bail as a special case as the prison sentence is only for a period of nine months.
In response, the Magistrate stated that special circumstances must be presented to consider a bail application of this nature.

After reviewing the facts presented, the Magistrate concluded that no exceptional facts had been presented on behalf of the defendant and rejected the bail application.

( Previous news, 09th of January 2025 ; 12:04 pm)

Gnanasara Thera sentenced to 09 months imprisonment

General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization – Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero has been sentenced to 09 months simple imprisonment by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for insulting the religion of Islam.

In addition to the prison term, Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena imposed a fine of Rs. 1,500.

The sentence follows an earlier arrest warrant issued after Gnanasara Thero failed to appear before court regarding the charges.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

11 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.