Galagodaatte Gnanasara, an ally of the ousted former president, was convicted for inflammatory remarks made years ago, highlighting ongoing tensions in Sri Lanka regarding religious freedom.
Controversial Monk Faces Jail Time Again for Anti-Islam Remarks
Controversial Monk Faces Jail Time Again for Anti-Islam Remarks
A prominent Buddhist monk known for inciting religious hatred has been sentenced to nine months in prison in Sri Lanka.
Galagodaatte Gnanasara, a hardline Buddhist monk and leading figure in a Sinhalese nationalist group, received a nine-month prison sentence on charges of insulting Islam and inciting religious division. His conviction, handed down by the Colombo Magistrate's Court, relates to derogatory comments made in 2016 and reflects a rare legal action against a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist nation.
This sentencing is Gnanasara's second trip to jail; he has faced several allegations of hate crimes, particularly against the Muslim community. Previously, he had been incarcerated for charges including intimidation and contempt of court, receiving a presidential pardon in 2019 that allowed for a reduced sentence.
Gnanasara, closely associated with former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa—who resigned in 2022 amid widespread protests over the economic crisis—has a history of making incendiary statements. The judiciary has reiterated that all individuals have the constitutional right to religious freedom, indicating a challenging climate surrounding religious discourse in the country.
On top of his prison time, the court leveled a minor fine on him, underscoring the legal risks of hate speech in a volatile post-Rajapaksa political landscape. Following his sentencing, Gnanasara has filed an appeal.
