The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court has summoned Batticaloa SSP to appear on 15 December to explain the failure to arrest Ampitiye Sumana Thera. The Thera is facing serious charges under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act for allegedly inciting racial hatred.
During the hearing on 08 December (Case No. 1152), the complainant, Attorney-at-Law Dhanuka Rananjaka Kahandagamage, representing the aggrieved party, officially recorded his statement before the Magistrate. Police informed the court that the accused Thera was not present and was reportedly hiding in a village, leading the Magistrate to issue the order summoning the Batticaloa SSP next week.
The case stems from a complaint lodged by Kahandagamage on 23 October 2023. The Attorney General (AG) had previously instructed the Police to arrest Ampitiye Sumana Thera in connection with the case. Lawyer Kahandagamage stated that the AG issued this directive after a controversial video clip—purportedly showing the Thera—was forwarded to the Government Analyst for examination.
The complaint cites a statement made by Sumana Thera in Batticaloa, where he allegedly made an aggressive remark against the Tamil community, threatening, “Every Tamil person living in the South will be cut and killed.” This threat was reportedly made in the presence of several police officers.