The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera to appear in person and present his reasons for seeking to suspend a prison sentence imposed in a case concerning insults to Islam.
When the case was taken up before the Colombo Additional Magistrate on 24 September, Gnanasara Thera did not appear. President’s Counsel Anura Meddegoda, appearing on his behalf, informed the court that the monk was unwell.
Counsel said the High Court had rejected an application to revise the Magistrate’s Court ruling on the prison sentence. Gnanasara Thera had subsequently filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, he said, and asked that the sentence be suspended until that appeal was considered.
The Magistrate directed Gnanasara Thera to appear before the court in person to make that request.
