The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization, Venerable Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, is scheduled to be produced before the Court of Appeal today (05).

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (04) ordered Gnanasara Thero, who was arrested on outstanding warrants, to be remanded in custody until today.

Gnanasara Thero was produced before the court by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) when a motion relating to the warrants was taken up yesterday before the Colombo Additional Magistrate in chambers.

Appearing before court, CCD officers informed the magistrate that Gnanasara Thero had been arrested and produced in accordance with warrants issued by the courts.

Police told the court that warrants had been issued against him by the Court of Appeal, the Colombo High Court and the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Appearing for Gnanasara Thero, Attorney-at-Law Iresh Seneviratne, together with Attorney-at-Law Pasan Karunaratne, told court that his client had been experiencing severe mental distress and had therefore gone to an Aranya Senasanaya, where he had been staying.

Attorney-at-Law Seneviratne also pointed out that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry that investigated the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks had recommended that special security be provided to Gnanasara Thero. He therefore requested the court to issue the necessary directions to ensure his safety while in custody.

Having considered the submissions, the Additional Magistrate ordered that Gnanasara Thera be remanded.

Accordingly, the magistrate ordered that he be produced before the Court of Appeal today in connection with the warrant pending before that court.

Additionally, prison officials were directed to produce Gnanasara Thero before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday in connection with the warrant pending before that court.

The magistrate further directed prison authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Gnanasara Thero while he remains in remand custody.