Pastor Jerome Fernando, embroiled in controversy over his contentious remarks on multiple religions, faces extended remand until December 27 following his appearance before the Colombo Fort Magistrate.
The self-proclaimed ‘prophet’ underwent questioning by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after arriving to provide a statement for a second consecutive day. His initial arrest on December 1, directly after this questioning, led to his remand.
This legal turmoil began after a video of one of Fernando’s sermons circulated widely on social media, sparking allegations of derogatory comments concerning Lord Buddha and other religious figures.
Previously, Fernando departed for Singapore on May 14, just before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court imposed travel restrictions. After months abroad, he returned to Sri Lanka on November 29, flying in via Qatar Airlines. He navigated the Gold Route at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) upon his arrival.
Upon his return, the CID’s Cyber Crime Investigation Division promptly obtained a statement from Fernando in compliance with a court directive. A previous Court of Appeal ruling ordered the CID not to arrest Fernando upon his return and stipulated that he record a statement within 48 hours of arriving, as per a petition he filed seeking protection from arrest by the CID.
