Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thero urges the SC to dismiss Pastor Jerome Fernando's petition against his imminent arrest

In an intervention petition, Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the Fundamental Rights petition filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando, who sought an order against his imminent arrest by police.

The intervening petitioner, Elle Gunawansa Thero, is further seeking an order to refuse the grant of interim reliefs to Pastor Jerome.

In his Fundamental Rights petition, Pastor Gerome Fernando stated that the sermon he 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.

However, Gunawansa Thera stated that the statements made by Jerome Fernando are far more heinous than those reported to have been made by stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya, particularly as he made derogatory remarks against all four major religions.

Gunawansa Thera further stated that there is abundant evidence to demonstrate that Pastor Jerome has committed offences under Section 291B of the Penal Code and Section 3 of the ICCPR Act, and thereby, he ought to be arrested forthwith and investigated in terms of the law. Therefore, Gunawansa Thera maintained that the reliefs sought by Pastor Jerome should not be granted and urged the court to dismiss his petition at the beginning of the court proceedings (in limine).