CPA files complaint against Asgiriya Chief Prelate

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has lodged a complaint with the Police against the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter over the controversial remarks made by the Chief Prelate.

Head of CPA Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu had told The Sunday Morning that his organisation had lodged a complaint against Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera for hate speech.

The Chief Prelate had said, "We heard that Chamal Rajapaksa was slated to become the next President. We were not aware of this development but we are very happy to hear this," he had said.

Dr. Saravanamuttu said that they had lodged a complaint with the acting IGP against this monk for inciting racism,” .

He said that such behaviour must not go unpunished, regardless of the individual’s standing in society.

“This person has come out with hate speech and legal action must be taken. The law should be applied without exception. People wearing robes should not be exempted from the law of the land,” he said.

Last Sunday, Gnanarathana Thera, in a speech, made controversial remarks such as condoning the stoning of Muslims and calling for a boycott of all Muslim businesses.

Thereafter, on Wednesday, Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera, in a statement, condemned the remarks made by Gnanarathana Thera and called on the Buddhist majority of the country to “stand against the Talibisation of Buddhism”.

On Friday, however, Gnanarathana Thera, in a statement, said that his remarks had been misinterpreted.