The Colombo High Court on Tuesday upheld the nine-month prison sentence and fine imposed on Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, dismissing his appeal against the conviction.
The appeal sought to have the sentence and fine set aside, with the Thero requesting to be acquitted and released. However, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ruled that the Magistrate’s Court’s judgment would remain in force.
The case relates to statements made by Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero during a media briefing in 2016, which were found to be derogatory towards Islam and harmful to religious coexistence.
Following the conviction, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court sentenced the Thero to nine months’ imprisonment and imposed a fine.
With Tuesday’s ruling, the Colombo High Court has affirmed the original judgment, bringing the appeal to a close.
