Recent reports indicate that a prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, known for his controversial views, has been sentenced to prison for making derogatory remarks about Islam. This follows a history of the monk facing legal challenges and accusations of inciting religious tensions.
A Sri Lankan court has sentenced Galagodaatte Gnanasara to nine months in prison. He is a prominent Sri Lankan Buddhist monk known for his controversial remarks and for making derogatory statements about Islam and inciting religious hatred. This marks the second time Gnanasara has faced imprisonment for similar offenses.
The charges against the monk date back to 2016 when he publicly insulted Sri Lanka’s minority Muslim community. It is a community that makes up around 10% of the country’s 22 million population. Last year, he was convicted of disparaging Muslims and received a four-year sentence. However, he was released on bail while appealing the ruling.
Gnanasara is closely associated with former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He appointed him in 2021 to lead a panel tasked with reforming Sri Lanka’s legal system to promote religious harmony. Conversely, the decision sparked widespread criticism, with opposition lawmaker Shanakiyan Rasamanickam calling it “the definition of irony.”
Series Of Similar Offences
The monk’s controversial past includes a six-year sentence in 2018 for intimidating the wife of a missing journalist and contempt of court. However, he served only nine months before receiving a presidential pardon from then-president Maithripala Sirisena.
Gnanasara’s influence significantly declined after his patron, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was forced to resign in 2022. The resignation was followed by mass protests over Sri Lanka’s severe economic crisis. Without political protection, the monk has faced renewed legal action.
The court’s recent decision highlights ongoing tensions in Sri Lanka, a nation grappling with ethnic and religious divisions. Moreover, observers view the sentencing as a signal that the judiciary may be taking a firmer stance against hate speech and actions that threaten social harmony.
Gnanasara’s case has reignited discussions about the need for stronger measures to address religious intolerance in Sri Lanka. It is a country that has experienced recurring tensions between its Buddhist majority and minority communities.
