BBS Gnanasara Strikes Again In Full View Of Police

April 9, 2014

The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena together with a mob inclusive of monks stormed a press conference organised by the rival Jathika Bala Sena Watareka Vijitha Thero and abused the monk preventing him from speaking to the journalists present and in full view of the Police personnel present.

BBS monks threatening Jathika Bala Sena monks holding Press Conf. @ Nippon Hotel #lka pic.twitter.com/ZxEiLi7BLI

The incident took place this morning at the Hotel Nippon in Colombo.

Watareka Vijitha Thero was a vocal critic of the conduct of Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero and wasassaulted and hospitalised last year while travelling in a vehicle. The monk alleged that the BBS was behind the assault. No person was apprehended or arrested by the Law Enforcement authorities following the assault.

The BBS General Secretary while verbally abusing the head of the Jathika Bala Sena coerced him into apologising for convening a press conference and ordered the disbanding of the organisation.

Watareka Vijitha Thero who was surrounded by the mob inclusive of monks had agreed to apologise and disband the organisation.

Sources however confirmed to the Colombo Telegraph that Vijitha Thero would make a Police complaint shortly at the Slave Island Police.

Around 40 Police personnel who were present during the fracas had not attempted to prevent the abuse nor acted against the violation of the right to the freedom of expression.