Ampitiye Sumana Thero Indicted

 The Batticaloa High Court yesterday (17) ordered the release on bail of Ampitiye Sumana Thero, who had been indicted for making controversial statements to the media in a manner that obstructs reconciliation among communities and poses a threat to national security.

This order was issued by Batticaloa High Court Judge T.J. Prabakaran when the case was called under six indictments filed by the Attorney General regarding the statement made on October 25, 2023, which violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.

When the case was called on November 14 last year, an open warrant had been issued due to the defendant's non-appearance in court. Yesterday, after the Thero appeared before the court, the indictment papers were handed over. After considering the facts, the judge ordered the defendant's release on two personal bail bonds of one hundred thousand rupees each, imposed a travel ban, and ordered the surrender of his passport to the court. Furthermore, the defendant was ordered to report to the Batticaloa Police and provide a statement regarding the incident.

The State Counsel, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, submitted that the defendant had been evading court and had not yet provided a statement to the police regarding the incident.

Responding to this, Senior Counsel Chaminda Athukorala, appearing for the defendant, stated that due to the recent disaster situation in the country, landslides occurred at the Theldeniya Temple in Kandy, and his client was unable to appear in court previously as he was engaged in relief efforts there.

The defense counsel also pointed out that two years have passed since the controversial statement was made, and since then, the defendant has not made any defamatory statements. He requested that the defendant be released on a suitable bail condition as there were no prior offenses. After considering the arguments from both parties, the High Court Judge recalled the warrant order and decided to release the defendant on bail, ordering the case to be called again on January 20 next year.