BBS monk taken to remand prison after tense situation

The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) the?venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was?taken to the remand prison from the Homagama Magistrate’s court after tense situation arose this evening.

Several monks and supporters of the BBS General Secretary protested near the court and threatened to?commit suicide?if?Gnanasara Thera was not released.

The protesters prevented the police and prison guards from taking the monk in the prison bus but eventually he was taken in another vehicle.

The?venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was arrested today after he surrendered to the police in Homagama.

The Homagama Magistrate issued an arrest warrant yesterday?on the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, the venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera.

Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was produced before the?Homagama Magistrate today and remanded till February 9.

The arrest warrant was issued after the monk had allegedly disrespected court during proceedings into the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

Later outside court the monk had slammed the Government for arresting soldiers in relation to the case.

This is the third arrest warrant issued against?Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera over the past several months.

In October last year he?surrendered to the Fort Magistrate after a?warrant was issued for his arrest on the charge of contempt of court.

The?Fort Magistrate later withdrew the arrest warrant after?Gnanasara Thera surrendered to court.

In May last year the?police arrested Gnanasara Thera after a?warrant was issued against him after he failed to appear before Court over his alleged participation at a protest in front of the Bribery and Corruption?Commission?in violation of a Court order. He was freed on bail.?(Colombo Gazette)