Pastor Jerome Fernando's FR petition will be heard today

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando seeking an order preventing police from arresting him in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon is to be taken up before the Supreme Court today (May 05).

In his petition, Pastor Gerome Fernando stated that what he had delivered on April 30, 2023, did not constitute any offence as alleged by the police in their B report filed in the Magistrate's Court.

He further said that Article 10 of the Constitution guarantees him as a person the "freedom of thought, conscience, and religion".

Pastor Jerome states that he has not committed an offence under Section 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act No. 56 of 2007 or under Section 291A of the Penal Code.

However, he unconditionally expressed his utmost remorse to the Buddhist, Hindu, and Islam clergy, the followers of the religions, and anybody else who is hurt or whose religious feelings are wounded by the words contained in his said sermon.

The petitioner further maintained that it is extremely likely that he will be arrested at the Katunayake Airport itself when he returns to Sri Lanka.