The Court of Appeal today ordered to release Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galabodaatte Gnanasara Thera on bail pending an appeal.
On March 28, Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for making a hate speech by insulting the religious beliefs of the Muslim community.
Gnanasara Thera was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs.50,000 with two sureties of Rs.500,000.
The Colombo High Court had earlier rejected the bail application filed on behalf of Gnanasara thera citing there are no exceptional circumstances revealed before court to release him on bail.
Anil Silva PC with Counsel Iresh Seneviratne, Sanjaya Ariyadasa and Sanjaya Marambe appeared for Gnanasara Thera.