The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (06 Jan.) ordered Sepal Amarasinghe, a social media activist arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department, to be remanded until the 10th.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta issued the relevant order after considering the facts presented by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Amarasinghe was arrested by the CID last evening (05 Jan.) after recently making several controversial statements about the much-venerated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

The YouTuber’s recent claims have led to chaotic uproar amongst Sri Lanka’s predominantly Buddhist society, officials of the CID highlighted, while the Director General of Department of Archaeology also asserted that the slanderous statements in question were a grave wrongdoing.

The Chief Prelates of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters have also informed the CID that they are ready to provide statements pertaining to the matter, the CID informed the court. 

Investigations have also revealed that Amarasinghe had received funds from persons overseas, regarding which the CID are conducting further probes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and the Act pertaining to providing financial aid to terrorists. 

The CID have requested that the accused be remanded till 19 January under the the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

This request was, however, rejected.

Appearing on behalf of  Amarasinghe, Namal Rajapaksa stated that his client has only attempted to shield the religion from myths and other harmful statement through the countless number of videos posted on his YouTube channel, affirming that the accused had no intention of insulting Buddhism.

Rajapaksa also levelled a serious accusation that Amarasinghe had been arrested for the purpose of gaining political revenge, stating  that the controversial statements had only shed light on the fact that the Government was attempting to overshadow the ongoing economic crisis by readying to hold an exhibition of the Tooth Relic.

The CID initiated investigations into the statements made by Amarasinghe after  Inspector-General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne received written complaints in this regard, which lead to Amarasinghe’s arrest.

The chief prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero and Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero also wrote to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, raising concerns about the offensive statements made by Amarasinghe, and urged the government to take necessary measures to nip the matter in the bud.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, speaking in parliament yesterday, vowed legal action against Amarasinghe, stressing that the religious harmony in the country cannot be allowed to be disrupted.

Pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act, No. 56 of 2007, propagating war or advocating national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is a punishable offense with rigorous imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.