Pastor Jerome Fernando who heads a religious congregation will be arrested following his return to Sri Lanka, Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said today.
Stating that the pastor is reported to have left the country, SSP Thalduwa said he will be arrested upon his return over his recent controversial statements made related to Buddhism.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) obtained a travel ban against Pastor Jerome Fernando from the Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
However, it was revealed that the pastor had left the country on Sunday, May 14, 2023.
Pastor Fernando is accused of having made derogatory statements related to Lord Buddha, Islam, and Hinduism in front of a packed congregation recently.
Video footage of his remarks had caused an uproar among the followers of Buddhism in the country.
The Archdiocese of Colombo also clarified yesterday that Pastor Jerome Fernando was neither a Catholic priest nor connected to the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)