On March 28 in Colombo, the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera faced legal consequences for his...
On March 28 in Colombo, the General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera faced legal consequences for his involvement in a hate speech targeting the Islamic faith. He was handed a four-year rigorous imprisonment sentence by the Colombo High Court. This ruling came as a result of a hate speech he delivered at Kuragala Temple.
In addition
to the imprisonment, Judge Adithya Patabendige mandated Gnanasara Thera to pay
a fine of Rs.100,000. This penalty was associated with the hate speech incident
that took place during a press conference in Colombo.
The legal
action against Gnanasara Thera was initiated by the Attorney General, who filed
an indictment against him. The charges stemmed from a deliberate and malicious
statement made by the Thera between November 1, 2016, and December 16, 2016, at
Kirulapone. The statement was deemed offensive as it was intended to incite
outrage among the Islamic community by disrespecting and insulting their
religious beliefs.
Historical activity report
This report details the history and activities of the Bodu Bala Sena
(BBS), a Sri Lankan Buddhist organization, with a specific focus on the role of
its General Secretary, Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera.
Formation and Ideology
Founded in 2012, the BBS emerged as a breakaway faction from the Jathika Hela
Urumaya party.
The group identifies as a Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist organization and is
known for its far-right, anti-minority rhetoric.
The BBS promotes Sinhalese Buddhist supremacy and has been accused of inciting
violence against religious minorities, particularly Muslims.
Activities and Controversies
- The BBS has been involved in numerous public protests and demonstrations targeting Muslim-owned businesses and mosques.
- The group's leader, Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera, has been a central figure in these activities and has delivered speeches deemed inflammatory and hateful by critics.
- Gnanasara Thera has faced legal charges related to his pronouncements and actions, including accusations of breaching racial and religious harmony. (Source: https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/racist-buddhist-monk-apologises-if-he-had-caused-distress)
- The BBS has drawn criticism from various human rights organizations, religious leaders, and international bodies for its activities.
Impact and Legacy
The BBS has undoubtedly played a controversial role in Sri Lanka's recent
history. The group's actions have heightened religious tensions within the
country and raised concerns about the rise of Buddhist nationalism. While the
BBS claims to represent the interests of the Sinhalese Buddhist majority,
critics argue their methods undermine religious tolerance and social harmony.
It is important to note that the information included here is based on factual
reporting from credible sources. This report excludes any content that
glorifies or promotes violence or religious hatred.
Further Research
For a more comprehensive understanding of the BBS and its activities, you can
refer to the following resources:
- Bodu Bala Sena Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodu_Bala_Sena
- Criticism of the BBS: https://groundviews.org/2013/03/19/bodu-bala-sena-a-threat-to-sri-lankas-future/
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