Orders Issued for Namal Kumara's Arrest Over Cardinal Insult

 Fort Magistrate Isuru Nettikumara yesterday (09) ordered the police to arrest Attanayake Mudiyanselage Namal Kumara, who is accused of making statements insulting His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and inciting the Catholic community, and produce him before the court.

As the suspect Namal Kumara failed to appear before the court when this case was called in open court, the Magistrate took steps to issue a warrant.

However, Asela Nuwan Rajapaksa, who is named as the second suspect in this case, appeared before the court when the case was called.

Investigation officers, presenting facts before the court, stated that further investigations into this incident are being conducted under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.

Investigation officers further informed the court that investigations have revealed that the statements made by the relevant suspects have propagated a religiously, ethnically, and nationally hateful situation.

Namal Kumara and the other suspect were previously arrested and released on bail following an investigation initiated based on a complaint made to the Colombo Crimes Division by Rev. Father Jude Krishantha, Director of National Catholic Social Communications.