Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), on Monday appealed to the public to contribute to a fund he described as a “National Charity” to support legal action on behalf of Buddhist monks facing defamation cases.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Gnanasara Thero said the donations would be channelled towards court proceedings aimed at securing what he termed justice for monks, including himself, who he claimed had been unfairly targeted.

“This is a national charity. These funds will be used to protect the national heritage and to ensure justice for monks who are defamed,” he said.

He stated that he had faced around 20 lawsuits for speaking out on issues relating to what he described as common heritage, adding that he would not wish such an experience on any adversary.

Gnanasara Thera further remarked that if former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa had provided financial assistance to the BBS, the current administration was free to investigate the matter.

He also accused sections of the public of “rewarding scoundrels” while failing to support those who, in his view, stood up for the nation.