CCD seeks AG’s advice regarding Tawheed Jamath

The case against six members of Sri Lanka Tawheed Jamath (SLTJ) for allegedly making derogatory remarks on the Buddha and hurting the sentiments of the Sinhala-Buddhist community in the country has been referred to the Attorney General for his advice.

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) conducting investigation into the incident informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara that the extracts of the investigations have been forwarded to the Attorney General.

At a previous occasion, the Department of Buddhist Affairs in a report informed Court that alleged derogatory remarks made by the Sri Lanka Tawheed Jamath (SLTJ) through a video has caused damages to country’s religious harmony.

In this case, six members of SLTJ are being prosecuted for making derogatory remarks on Buddha and hurting the sentiments of the Sinhala-Buddhist community in the country. Ven. Soranathota Chandrarathana thera had lodged a complaint with CCD alleging that a video footage released by SLTJ has insulted the Buddha and Sinhala community.  The complainant alleged that the Secretary to Sri Lanka Thowheed Jamath, Abdul Razik had deliberately made derogatory remarks on Buddha on April 13, 2013 citing that the Buddha had eaten human flesh and ‘triple gem’ means just stones.

Further magisterial inquiry into the incident fixed for February 22 next year.

Counsel Darshana Ranmuthuge appeared for the complainant while Counsel Maithri Gunaratne with Shiraz Noordeen appeared for the suspects.