Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was remanded till February 9 by Homagama Magistrate's Court a short while ago.

He was arrested this morning when he surrendered to the Homagama Police.

The Homagama Magistrate issued an arrest warrant against Gnanasara Thera yesterday on three charges including threatening a state official, obstructing the court proceedings and contempt of court. He addressed the court yesterday immediately after the case on the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda was taken up.

The incident which led to the arrest warrant occurred immediately after the court proceedings were concluded on the Eknaligoda case. Gnanasara Thera started addressing the court, alleging that the arrest of Army Intelligence officials regarding the Eknaligoda disappearance was illegal. Pointing to Senior State Councilor Dileepa Peris, he claimed that they should be arrested for urging for the "illegal arrests" of military officers.

The Senior State Councilor responded by saying such incidents should not take place inside a court room.

Meanwhile, Attorney-at-Law Upul Kumarapperuma also requested the Magistrate to take necessary action.

The Magistrate made the order after taking into consideration the statements issued by the monk at the court and the requests by the lawyers.