Sri Lanka: Special unit established to probe 'insults to religion'

The Buddhist Channel, December 15, 2023

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- Sri Lanka has recently established a specialized unit within the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to investigate incidents involving insults to religion. This development comes after the apprehension of a controversial pastor and a self-proclaimed monk for derogatory comments about Lord Buddha and Buddhism.

Nihal Talduwa, spokesperson for the Sri Lankan police department, announced the creation of the distinct unit, emphasizing its capability to thoroughly investigate complaints related to religious insults. Talduwa also mentioned that the special unit will extend its focus to offenses committed against religion through social media platforms.

To encourage public engagement, Talduwa shared that a hotline number has been made available, and individuals can also register complaints through alternative channels such as email. These measures aim to establish an efficient reporting and addressing mechanism for religious offenses, according to Talduwa.

The arrest of the self-proclaimed monk known as "Vishwa Buddha" occurred on Dec. 12, based on allegations of insulting Buddhism through offensive content on social media. Vishwa Buddha, whose real name is Manju Sri, frequently appears online wearing a shirt instead of the traditional monk's robe. The 34-year-old, in his social media posts, challenges the significance of a monk's robe, asserting it to be nothing more than a garment. Talduwa confirmed that the monk was detained in response to public complaints and is remanded until Dec. 19.

On Dec. 1, Pastor Jerome Fernando was arrested for making a statement during a sermon, suggesting that Lord Buddha had been "looking for Jesus" for guidance and inspiration. This remark led to a significant backlash in the Buddhist-majority nation. Fernando, who heads the Glorious Church and owns the expansive ‘Miracle Dome,’ is held under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for allegedly disrupting religious harmony. The pastor, who considers himself a prophet of God and has a substantial following, including celebrities and cricketers, is remanded until Dec. 27.

These arrests have sparked discussions in ethnically diverse Sri Lanka regarding the boundaries of free speech and the responsibility of individuals, particularly religious figures, when expressing views on social media. In Sri Lanka, Buddhists constitute 70.2 percent of the population, while Christians make up 6.1 percent.