The young man who distorted and spread photos of Lord Buddha on social media has been arrested.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today (01) ordered the remand of a 21-year-old youth until the 16th, who circulated distorted photographs of Lord Buddha via social media and issued malicious statements via WhatsApp threatening to attack several major Buddhist shrines.

Investigations into this serious incident were initiated by the Surveillance and Intelligence Unit of the Computer Crime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department, based on a complaint made by the Chief Incumbent of Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya, Dr. Dhaniyagama Ananda Anunayake Thero. Accordingly, the suspect arrested and presented to the court was J.M. Amodya Madhuka Thamosha, a resident of Ibbagammuwa area.

Investigation officers, presenting facts before the court regarding the incident, pointed out that messages were exchanged through this WhatsApp group threatening to carry out a series of attacks targeting sacred sites including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Thuparamaya, and Dambulla Viharaya on November 19, 2026. Officers further revealed that it was also noted in the group that the sole aim of everyone was to eradicate Buddhism from the entire world.

Investigations have also confirmed that this suspect youth acted as a main administrator (Admin) of the WhatsApp group where the hateful statements and distorted photographs were exchanged. As evidence, photocopies containing conversations from that social media group were also presented to the Magistrate by the Criminal Investigation Department, and after investigating all the presented facts, the order to remand the suspect was issued.