Gnanasara Thera who was in hiding ... surrenders to court -- released on bail

Gnanasara Thera who was in hiding ... surrenders to court -- released on bail

Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera whom the police could not locate after a warrant was issued sometime back by courts finally surrendered to courts today through an attorney-at-law and managed to have the warrant revoked and be released on bail. Under these circumstances the police will be deprived of the opportunity of taking the thera into custody for allegedly aiding and abetting to create discord among nations the

latter being General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena.

Whatever it is, a warrant issued on him was for the reason for not appearing continuously for the case filed against him in relation to the commotion he created at court premises sometime back. The attack launched last month at a Muslim religious place of worship in Kurunegala was suspected by police as an instance where the thera had instigated his supporters and though an attempt was made to arrest him, he had taken steps to get away by avoiding the police by displaying the united power of his supporters. Subsequently he had visited the Kandy theras and engaged in a fast expressing the idea 'Am I the only racist ... if all the other racists are being arrested, then arrest me also'.

Whatever it is, the police have consolidated relevant information and even went as far as arming themselves with court warrants to arrest the thera but he had been in hiding, ignoring the law continuously thus avoiding other cases too. Prelates of Asgiri Chapter were on cordial terms with the thera and after a special announcement was released by them yesterday during the maximum period he was in hiding, the thera surrendered to courts without being even touched by police.

The General Secretary of Bodu Bala Sena, Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera who surrendered to Fort Magistrate this morning (21) was ordered release on bail, it was reported. The warrants issued to the thera were revoked today. The case was postponed till next 10th of August. A Human Rights petition filed requesting for an order preventing him being taken into custody is scheduled to be taken in for hearing today (21).