The investigations into the controversial choices made by the self-styled “prophet” Pastor Jerome Fernando are already underway, the Authorised educated Frequent educated the Supreme Courtroom at present (May 24).
This was conveyed by Additional Solicitor Frequent Priyantha Nawana, when a major rights (FR) petition filed by Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero was often commonly known as sooner than a Supreme Courtroom resolve bench this morning.
The probes are being dealt with by the Jail Investigations Division (CID).
Pastor Fernando discovered himself in scorching water ensuing from allegations that it included derogatory statements associated to Lord Buddha and utterly absolutely completely totally different religious figures after a video of his sermon was broadly circulated on social media, stirring fairly a bit controversy contained throughout the nation.
On May 15, President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered the CID to launch an instantaneous investigation into the matter, citing that such statements would possibly create religious conflicts and hurt the nation’s concord.
The New Buddhist Entrance (‘Nawa Bikshu Peramuna’) and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) furthermore lodged a criticism with the CID, on the lookout for the quick arrest of the Pastor and that strict accepted motion be initiated in opposition to him.
Later, an abroad journey ban was imposed in opposition to the Pastor on orders of the Colombo Fort Justice of the Peace’s Courtroom yesterday (16 May), as per a request made by the CID. Fernando, nonetheless, left for Singapore on May 14.
All by means of the meantime, Sri Lanka Police acknowledged Pastor Jerome is maybe arrested upon his return to the island on account of abroad journey ban.
On May 18, Ven. Gunawansa Thero and a wide range of totally different completely totally different absolutely completely totally different others lodged an FR petition trying to find a Supreme Courtroom order directing the police chief to arrest Pastor Fernando and to take accepted motion in opposition to him.
In a live-streamed video, Pastor Fernando issued an apology, stating that “I’ve achieved nothing fallacious. And whereas I’ve achieved nothing fallacious, I need to nonetheless apologize to my Buddhist brothers, Hindu brothers, Muslim brothers and sisters, if my phrases by any means have harm you emotionally”.