Sri Lanka, Oct. 1 -- Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva issued an open warrant today (1) for the arrest of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Venerable Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, along with notices to his sureties, after the monk failed to appear in court.

The case concerns statements made during a press conference that allegedly promoted discord between Muslim and Sinhala communities.

The Colombo Magistrate's Court had previously sentenced the monk to nine months in prison on January 9, 2025, against which an appeal was filed in the Colombo High Court.

Today was scheduled for the High Court to read out its ruling on that appeal.

Legal counsel representing the monk informed the court that he was unable to attend due to a me...