The Court of Appeal has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando upon his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

The ruling also mentioned the self-styled ‘prophet’ should record a statement with the CID’s Cyber Crime Investigation Division within 48 hours of his arrival on the island.

This interim order was issued in respect of the petition filed by Pastor Fernando, seeking to prevent the CID from arresting him. It was taken up before Appeals Court President, Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Chamath Morais this morning (Nov.17).

The judge bench mentioned that after the statement is obtained, standard legal action could be taken against Pastor Fernando.

The self-styled ‘prophet’ found himself in hot water after a video of a sermon delivered by him was widely circulated on social media, stirring much controversy in the country, due to allegations that it included derogatory statements related to Lord Buddha and other religious figures.

Subsequently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered the CID to launch an immediate investigation into the matter, citing that such statements could create religious conflicts and harm the country’s harmony.

However, Pastor Fernando flew out to Singapore two days before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court banned his foreign travels. However, the police had said Pastor Fernando could be arrested upon his return to the island.

On May 26, Fernando had filed an FR petition before the court, through his attorneys, seeking an order preventing his arrest. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the DIG in charge of the CID, the CID director and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the cybercrimes unit of the CID had been named as the respondents of the FR petition.

In his petition, the Pastor deemed the CID’s attempts to arrest him unlawful, claiming that the police had not presented any piece of evidence to the court to prove that his comments threatened religious harmony in the country.