COLOMBO : A Colombo court warned and discharged on Monday September 10 Ven. Gnanasara Thero and seven others from charges of unlawful assembly, criminal Intimidation and Assault after the virtual complainant agreed to settle the case for a compensation of Rs.300000/- from the suspects.
This case was initiated by Ven. Watareka Wijitha Thero, by his complaint to the Slave Island police on 09th April 2014. The Complaint alleged that, while he was conducting a interfaith harmony press briefing at Nippon Hotel in Colombo 2, a group of mob led by Ven. Gnanasara Thero interrupted the press briefing assaulted him and intimidated the other religious leaders who were present in the said press briefing.
Upon his complaint, Slave Island police filed a case against Ven. Gnanasara Thero along with Ven. Vithardeniye Nande, Ven. Welimada Chandratne, Ven. Wellampitiya Sumanadamma, Ven Ariyawansa Samabda Himi, Janiki Memala and Pathiranage Gunawardena.
Charges filed against the accused were Criminal Intimidation, Assault and unlawful assembly under the penal code. For the third charge of Unlawful assembly all the suspects pleaded guilty. The first and second charges were settled upon payment of Rs.300000/-
Case was heard before Hon. Judge Thilina Gamage, the Magistrate of Colombo Fort. Attorney Deemani Beddewela appeared for the virtual complainant, Attorney Sudarashini Gunaratne appeared for the accused. This case was concluded with the settlement of both parties.
