July 18, Colombo (LNW): The Court of Appeal has today granted bail to General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera, pending the outcome of his appeal.
Gnanasara Thera had been sentenced to serve four-years of rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court on 28 March for delivering a speech that insulted the religious beliefs of the Muslim community.
He has now been released on a cash bail of Rs.50,000, along with two sureties of Rs.500,000 each.
Previously, the Colombo High Court had denied the bail application for the Thera, stating that no exceptional circumstances had been presented to justify his release on bail.
Legal representation for Gnanasara Thera was provided by Anil Silva PC, along with Counsels Iresh Seneviratne, Sanjaya Ariyadasa, and Sanjaya Marambe.
