Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was summoned to the special police unit to investigate religious disputes, established under the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs on Tuesday (31).

Bodu Bala Sena CEO Dilantha Withanage told Asian Mirror that Gnanasara Thera was questioned over a statement he had allegedly made at a press conference on February 18 this year. Six Muslim individuals had filed the same complaint to Kirulapone Police which said that Gnanasara Thera claimed Islam to be a religion which teaches a person to lie.

Ganasara Thera explained the police that he is a believer of Buddhism which teaches to question everything before believing in it, Withanage said. Gnanasara Thera also told that he compares various religions and make certain comments. However, Gnanasara Thera categorically rejected that he meant any abuse to Islam, Withanage said.

Furthermore, Withanage said that BBS brings out the acts of terror done in the name of Islam in foreign countries as a forewarning. This can also happen in Sri Lanka one day, Withanage said. Muslim people can also be hurt by such acts of extremists, he added.