Gnanasara Thero released on bail

The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization, Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, has been released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, after he was arrested on a pending warrant earlier today.

Gnanasara Thero was arrested this morning after he produced himself at the Cinnamon Gardens Police, who produced him before court.

He was ordered released on a cash bail of Rs 5,000 and personal bail of Rs 1 million.

On May 11, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the Buddhist monk after he failed to appear before the court on a case regarding his alleged participation at an unlawful assembly in front of the Bribery Commission.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court on April 24 issued notice on 27 persons including ten Parliamentarians and Gnanasara Thera to appear before the court on contempt of court charges, as they staged the demonstration.

The Magistrate, however, had issued an order banning protests in front of the Bribery Commission on the particular day.

The court later granted bail for the MPs in the case on May 8. However, as Gnanasara Thera failed to appear in person before the court, the Magistrate issued the warrant, reporter added.  A police team has also been deployed at the airport to arrest the BBS General Secretary upon his arrival in the Country, it was reported.