Pastor Jerome Fernando granted bail after nearly a month

• Jerome Fernando was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs.500,000 with two sureties of Rs.10 million

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

Pastor Jerome Fernando held in remand custody over a one month period in connection with his controversial Sunday sermon was yesterday granted bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.  

 Jerome Fernando was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs.500,000 with two sureties of Rs.10 million by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage. The Court further imposed bail conditions preventing the suspect from leaving the country.  

On December 1 last year, the CID arrested Pastor Jerome Fernando alleging that the sermon delivered by Pastor Jerome Fernando on the face of it comes under section 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act for advocating national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to hostility or violence.  
However, the defense sought bail for Jerome Fernando arguing that the content of the sermon does not come under the ambit of section 3(1) of ICCPR Act.  

The CID had commenced investigations against Pastor Jerome for insulting other religions and for the alleged commission of offences under section 291B of the Penal Code and section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act.  

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