Natasha and Bruno, remanded till June 21 for insulting Buddhism

By T. Farook Thajudeen  

Natasha Edirisooriya and Bruno Divakara who claimed to be the the owner of SL-Vlog were further remanded until June 21 by the Fort Magistrate Court yesterday.   The suspects were not produced before court during the inquiry yesterday but the detectives of the Computer Crime Division of the CID making submissions informed court that their investigations on the suspect were not yet concluded. 

if the suspects were released on bail they said they  might influence the ongoing investigations and also there is a threat for the peace of the country as there might be a public discontent against the suspect.  

However President Counsel Anuja Premaratna appearing for Natasha Edirisooriya contended that there is no disrespectful remark made by Natasha against Buddhism or any other religion. He also endorsed that a true Buddhist will never dissent against such remarks.  

President Counsel Nalinda Indatissa making submissions on behalf of Bruno Divakara said his client had not aided or abetted the first suspect . 

 Counsel Susantha Kumara also contended that in a meeting that was held following the arrest of Natasha some persons identified as Vidharshana Kannangara, Kalindu Jayawardena, Kalindu Uduwara, Lakmal Hemachandra and Britto Fernando had threatened the Magistrate asking to acquit Natasha from the charges. The Counsel said this is contempt of court and to take appropriate action against them.  

The magistrate ordered the CID to investigate on the alleged contempt speeches allegedly made by five persons who held the conference. He ordered the suspects’ Counsel to file written objections in court on June 16.  The CID had received complaints from the Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs and 15 Buddhist monks against the suspects.  the magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded and told the CID to report the progress of the investigation to the court on 16th of June. The case is postponed for June 21.