CID probing Pastor Jerome Fernando - AG tells SC

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the CID has already initiated an investigation against Pastor Jerome Fernando over his hate remarks against religious harmony in the country.  

Senior Additional Solicitor General (SASG) Priyantha Nawana appearing for the Attorney General made these remarks when the Fundamental Rights petition filed by a group of religious leaders seeking an order directing the IGP to immediately arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando was called before the Supreme Court.  

The petitioners Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, Ven. Angulugalle Sri Ginanada Thera, Rev. Father Nishan Cooray, Dr. Sivasui Ramachandra Kurukkal Babu Sharma and Al-Haj-As-Seyed Hassan Moulana AlQuadri filed the petition naming Pastor Jerome Fernando, IGP Chandana Wickramaratne and several others as respondents.   In response to the reliefs sought by the petitioners, SASG Nawana informed Court that that the CID has already 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 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act of 56 of 2007. President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appearing for the petitioners informed court that no meaningful action has been taken against Pastor Jerome despite President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Minister of Public Security, the Minister of Religious Affairs, as well as the director CID and the police spokesman, had all previously stated that due action would be taken, although the insulting comments had taken place as well back as the 30th of April. Jayawardena submitted to court that   Pastor Jerome had grievously insulted, ridiculed and scorned the four major religions of the country, being Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism and Islam and also the followers of those faiths and effectively implied that they are totally misguided and without salvation.