The Colombo High Court today (30) issued an arrest warrant directing that Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, the Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organization, be arrested and produced before court over allegations that he made statements insulting Islam.

The case was taken up today before Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C. Ragala.

Ven. Gnanasara Thera was not present in court when the case was called, Ada Derana reporter said.

Although a medical report was submitted to court stating that Ven. Gnanasara Thera was unwell, his sureties also failed to appear before the court.

Counsel appearing for Ven. Gnanasara Thera, Asoka Weerasuriya told the court that his client wished to bring the case to a conclusion at the earliest possible stage and that representations had been made to the Attorney General in this regard.

However, after considering the submissions, the High Court Judge said he was not satisfied with the medical report submitted on behalf of the accused. Court also noted that the sureties had failed to appear.

Accordingly, the judge ordered that an arrest warrant be issued for Ven. Gnanasara Thera and that he be arrested and produced before the court.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Ven. Gnanasara Thera under provisions of the Penal Code, alleging that remarks he made concerning the Holy Quran had amounted to an insult to Islam.