BASL to act against the BBS

Tuesday, 10 June 2014 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is likely to take action against the Sinhala Buddhist extremists, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

The issue had surfaced when two lawyers had reportedly filed a police complaint alleging that the BBS’ leading monk had made abusive remarks against them outside the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
Lawyers Maithree Guneratne and Shiraz Noordeen had represented Ven. Watarake Vijitha Thero who is filing action against the BBS and its General Secretary Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thero for disrupting a press briefing at Nippon Hotel in April.

The lawyers have told police that Ven. Gnanasara Thero had passed by them, making provocative and racially charged remarks while the two attorneys were addressing the media outside the court complex.

The General Secretary’s remarks were reportedly made in full hearing of media personnel.
BASL President Upul Jayasuriya has told the media that the incident had been reported to the Bar and it was mulling action.

“We have to look into the incident. If the facts as reported are true, the BASL will be filing contempt charges against him,” Jayasuriya has said.