Pastor Jerome Fernando further remanded till January 3

27 December 2023 07:32 pm Views - 2219

Colombo, Dec.27 (Daily Mirror) - Pastor Jerome Fernando arrested in connection with his controversial Sunday sermon was today ordered to be further remanded till January 3 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court.

Meanwhile, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya issued an order directing the Government Analyst to submit an analytical report pertaining to a Compact Disc relevant to the investigations.

This case is to be heard before Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on the next hearing date. 

The CID had commenced investigations against Pastor Jerome for insulting other religions and for the alleged commission of offenses under Section 291B of the Penal Code and Section 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act of 56 of 2007.

It is alleged that, on or about April 30, 2023, Jerome Fernando had addressed a large gathering of people and made numerous statements that are derogatory of other religions, specifically of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.