A Fundamental Rights petition was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday (18) asking the authorities including the Inspector General of Police to arrest, investigate and take legal action against Pastor Jerome Fernando, who is said to have made a statement insulting other religions including Buddhism.
Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera, Ven.Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, Ven. Anguluwelle Jinarathana Thera, Dr. Shivash Ramachandran Kurukkal Babu Sharma, Fr.Nishan Cooray and Al-haj Hassan Mohammed are the petitioners herein.
Sixteen persons including the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, the Minister of Public Security, and the Attorney General are named as respondents.
The petitioners say that a statement made by Pastor Jerome Fernando insulting the Buddha, Buddhism and other religions was circulating on social media.
It has been pointed out in the petition that the said statement is causing severe prejudice to religious and national harmony.
The petitioners have cited that efforts have been made to create an unnecessary conflict between religions and that other religious beliefs have been severely insulted.
The petitioners point out that the concerned pastor has committed an offence under the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights Act by making this statement and a proper investigation must be conducted in this regard which has not been done so far.