Sri Lankan Buddhist Leader Sentenced to Prison for Blasphemy Against Islam

A prominent Buddhist leader in Sri Lanka, already notorious for spreading religious hatred, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for making inflammatory remarks against Islam and Muslims.

According to international news reports, Buddhist monk Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara was found guilty of inciting religious hatred through hate speech targeting Islam. The court handed down the sentence after concrete evidence and his admission of guilt during the trial.

This is not the first time Gnanasara has faced legal consequences for similar actions. In a previous case involving anti-Muslim rhetoric, he was sentenced to four years in prison. However, he was released on parole, only to engage in similar inflammatory behavior again.

Muslim leaders in Sri Lanka have expressed dissatisfaction with what they consider a lenient punishment for a repeat offender. They have announced plans to file an appeal in a higher court, demanding stricter action against the Buddhist leader.

Gnanasara is infamous for his provocative speeches, which have contributed to growing tensions between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. Critics argue that the government must take stronger measures to prevent such rhetoric from escalating further religious divides in the country.

This latest sentence underscores the ongoing challenges Sri Lanka faces in addressing religious intolerance and maintaining harmony among its diverse population.