Sri Lanka: Prominent Buddhist monk jailed over anti-Islamic comments

Gnanasara Thera

A court in Sri Lanka has jailed a prominent Buddhist monk who called Islam “a cancer that must be eradicated.”

Gnanasara Thera, the leader of the Buddhist nationalist Bodu Bala Sena, was jailed for nine months along with a fine after he failed to appear before the court which had issued an arrest warrant for him.

The monk was sentenced to four years in prison last year for anti-Islamic remarks he made in 2016. He was released on bail while appealing the sentence. He was charged with causing harm to national and religious harmony.

Gnanasara Thera has made several controversial statements regarding Islam, noted for their inflammatory nature.

During a media briefing in July 2016, he referred to Islam as a “cancer that must be eradicated.”

He was also convicted for making remarks during a press conference in 2016 about the Kuragala Temple, specifically that the Muslim presence there was “an encroachment.” This led to his sentencing to four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 100,000 in March 2024.

Gnanasara Thera has been known for his speeches where he has linked Islamic extremism with broader political and cultural threats to the Sinhalese Buddhist identity in Sri Lanka.

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Buddhist nationalism is blamed for the attacks on Muslims in Sri Lanka

He has often portrayed himself as opposing Islamic extremism rather than Islam as a religion, but his methods and rhetoric have been widely criticised as promoting hate speech and communal disharmony.

Gnanasara Thera has also been linked to incidents of communal violence, including the anti-Muslim riots in Aluthgama in 2014. He has apologized to the Muslim community for past remarks but continues to be a divisive figure.

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), which translates to “Buddhist Power Force,” is a Sri Lankan Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist organisation.

The stated aim of BBS is to protect the Sinhalese Buddhist identity and culture from what they perceive as threats, particularly from other religious communities, notably Muslims and Christians.

BBS promotes Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism, advocating for a Sri Lanka where Buddhist values and culture are dominant. They often argue that these values are under threat from external cultural influences and religious minorities.

BBS has organized numerous public protests, often targeting Muslim businesses, places of worship, or cultural centers.

Among some segments of the Sinhalese Buddhist community, BBS has garnered support for its nationalist stance, seen by some as defending their cultural and religious identity.

Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist (around 70% of the population), with significant minorities of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. Muslims, although a minority (approximately 9.7% of the population), have historically faced discrimination and violence.

There have been numerous instances of violence against Muslims, including attacks on mosques, businesses, and individuals. These incidents often occur with allegations of forced conversions, cattle slaughter (which is contentious due to Buddhist reverence for animals), and perceived economic competition.

The government has occasionally acted against hate speech and incitement to violence, though critics argue these responses have been inconsistent.

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