The Colombo Archdiocese has categorically refuted recent statements by the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera regarding a discussion with the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith in 2014.

Addressing the media today, the head of the communication committee of the Colombo Archdiocese, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando acknowledged the meeting between Ven. Gnanasara Thera and the Archbishop in 2014.

Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said, however, that they rejected the statements made by Ven. Gnanasara Thera regarding details of the discussion, especially that he had warned of the mastermind of the 2019 Easter attacks, Zahran Hashim.

“Ven. Gnanasara Thera claims that during the meeting he had informed the Archbishop to be wary of Zahran Hashim who was terrorising the Kattankudy area. The monk further claimed that he had warned the Archbishop to be alert as he could carry out an attack targetting Catholics,” Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said.

Clarifying that, however, no statements as claimed by the monk had been made or conveyed to the Archbishop, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said the Archbishop strongly refutes the claims and that they are false. 

Father Cyril Gamini Fernando pointed out that such statements by Ven. Gnanasara Thera can cause issues within the general public and can also negatively impact the Archbishop of Colombo. 

Giving details of the discussion, Father Cyril Gamini Fernando said during the meeting, Ven. Gnanasara Thera had only mentioned that there was extremism spreading among the Muslim community and had not mentioned anything regarding Zahran Hashim. (Newswire)

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Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today for an investigation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

It is reported that the summons issued by the CID claims to have received information that Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando was privy to certain facts regarding the attacks. 

Accordingly, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando arrived before the CID at around 10.25 am today to record a statement. 

Speaking to reporters thereafter, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando said information has been shared with the CID on multiple occasions, but it does not seem that any investigations have been launched in this regard as yet.

He further said that there were multiple facts that assist in finding the masterminds of the Easter attacks, but such actions would not be taken.

Stating that the issues related to the Easter attacks have not been resolved in the last 5 years, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando added that he personally does not believe the matter will be resolved anytime soon. (Newswire)

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Pastor Jerome Fernando who heads a religious congregation is neither a Catholic priest nor connected to the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka, the Archdiocese of Colombo clarified today.

Speaking to the media, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini Fernando stated that it has been observed that a recent statement made by Pastor Jerome has posed a threat to religious harmony in the country.

Stating that every individual has the right to practice and preach their favoured religion, Reverend Father Cyril Gamini further stated, however, they do not possess the right to make derogatory or controversial statements against another religion.

“The controversial statement made by Pastor Jerome may influence the thoughts of his followers against another religion and may result in opposing views of the religion,” he warned.

Reverend Father Cyril Gamini added that the Archdiocese of Colombo further requests the public to be vigilant of people instigating racial and religious tensions in the country.

The clarification comes after video footage made rounds on social media over the weekend showing Pastor Jerome Fernando making derogatory statements related to Lord Buddha causing uproar among followers of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

"Public should be vigilant of people instigating racial and religious tensions in the country" Archdiocese of Colombo slams Pastor Jerome pic.twitter.com/qDwLQBnK4J

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) May 16, 2023

Video : https://web.facebook.com/watch/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=2Rb1fB&v=765983278512287  (NewsWire)

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