report in The Morning, Jan 6, 2023
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested popular YouTube political commentator Sepal Amarasinghe at Bellanwila last evening (5) for making disrespectful comments about the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy.
The public complaints division of the CID commenced an investigation into the matter after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne received written complaints in this regard.
Speaking on the matter, a senior police officer stated that facts were presented to the court in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Chief Prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera and Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera had written to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, raising concerns about the offensive statements by Amarasinghe.
They urged the Government to take necessary measures to nip the matter in the bud.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who addressed the Parliament earlier today, vowed legal action against Amarasinghe, stressing thatthe religious harmony in the country cannot be allowed to be disrupted.
Pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act, No. 56 of 2007, propagating war or advocating national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence is a punishable offense with rigorous imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.
Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the construction of a fake Temple of the Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa) in Pothuhera, Kurunegala.
Accordingly, necessary instructions were given to Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne in this regard, after Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters reported the incident to the President.
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/LyhgDmTqnE4z0ZJSPtDi
