Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court granted bail to self-styled ‘prophet’ Jerome Fernando on Wednesday morning (03 Jan.) in a case related to derogatory statements against various religious figures, including Lord Buddha. 

Pastor Jerome, arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), secured his release on a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 and two personal bails of Rs. 10 million each, as per the court order issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.

Despite being granted bail, the court imposed travel restrictions on Pastor Jerome, prohibiting him from leaving the country, and the strict condition that he refrain from making any such statements in the future that could disturb religious harmony.

The controversial pastor was arrested on 01 December after a video of one of his sermons, containing alleged derogatory statements, went viral on social media.

Pastor Jerome had initially provided a statement to the CID on 30 November for around eight hours. Subsequently, the Court of Appeal issued an interim order on 17 November, directing the CID not to arrest him upon his arrival in Sri Lanka. The order also mandated Pastor Fernando to record a statement with the CID’s Cyber Crime Investigation Division within 48 hours of his return.

After months of controversy over his remarks, Fernando returned to the island on Wednesday morning (29 Nov.). He had arrived from Singapore on board a Qatar Airlines flight and left the airport through the Gold Route at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.