INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Colombo Magistrates Court today (06 Jan.) ordered Sepal Amarasinghe, a social media activist arrested by the Criminal Investigation
Department, to be remanded up until the 10th
Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta issued the pertinent order after thinking about the realities provided by the Criminal
Investigation Department (CID)
Amarasinghe was detained by the CID last evening (05 Jan.) after recently making numerous controversial declarations about the
much-venerated Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.The YouTubers recent claims have actually caused chaotic uproar among Sri Lankas
predominantly Buddhist society, authorities of the CID highlighted, while the Director General of Department of Archaeology also asserted
that the slanderous declarations in question were a grave wrongdoing.The Chief Prelates of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters have actually
also informed the CID that they are ready to provide declarations relating to the matter, the CID informed the court
Investigations have actually also exposed that Amarasinghe had received funds from individuals overseas, concerning which the CID are
conducting further probes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and the Act relating to supplying financial aid to terrorists
The CID have requested that the implicated be remanded till 19 January under the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.This
demand was, however, rejected.Appearing on behalf of Amarasinghe, Namal Rajapaksa specified that his customer has only attempted to protect
the faith from misconceptions and other damaging statement through the countless number of videos published on his YouTube channel,
affirming that the implicated had no objective of insulting Buddhism.Rajapaksa also levelled a severe allegation that Amarasinghe had
actually been detained for the function of acquiring political revenge, mentioning that the controversial statements had only shed light on
the truth that the Government was attempting to eclipse the ongoing recession by readying to hold an exhibit of the Tooth Relic.The CID
started investigations into the declarations made by Amarasinghe after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) C.D
Wickramaratne received composed grievances in this regard, which result in Amarasinghes arrest.The chief prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya
Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero and Most Ven
Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero also wrote to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, raising concerns about the offensive declarations made by
Amarasinghe, and prompted the government to take essential measures to nip the matter in the bud.Meanwhile, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa
Rajapakshe, speaking in parliament yesterday, swore legal action against Amarasinghe, worrying that the spiritual harmony in the nation can
not be allowed to be disrupted.Pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act, No
56 of 2007, propagating war or promoting national, racial, or spiritual hatred that makes up incitement to discrimination, hostility or
violence is a punishable offense with extensive imprisonment for a term not going beyond 10 years
This article very first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
