Sri Lankan monk sentenced to 9 months for anti-Islam remarks

Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara on Thursday, January 9, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for making derogatory remarks against Islam and inciting religious enmity.Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara on Thursday, January 9, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for making derogatory remarks against Islam and inciting religious enmity.

This is the second occasion he has faced legal consequences for



his hate speech targeting Sri Lanka’s Muslim minority.

The current sentencing relates to inflammatory remarks Gnanasara made during a media conference in 2016 fueled with anti-Muslim sentiments.

In addition to imprisonment, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court also fined him 1,500 Sri Lankan rupees (approximately five US dollars) with the additional possibility of another month’s imprisonment if the said fine is not paid.