AG tells SC that CID is probing Pastor Jerome’s utterances

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday (24) that the Criminal Investigation Department has already  started investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando for making a statement insulting other religions including Buddhism.

The Senior Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Nawana informed this appearing in court on behalf of the Attorney General when a fundamental rights petition requesting the authorities including the Inspector General to arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando was called. The petitioners urge the Supreme Court to order an investigation and take legal action against him.

The petition was called before the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Soorasena and Arjuna Obeyesekere.

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, who appeared for the petitioner, stated that during a service conducted by the respondent Pastor Jerome Fernando, he had made a statement insulting and belittling religions including Buddhism.

He said that the said statement is a hindrance to religious harmony and it is causing severe prejudice to religious and national harmony. Therefore, it has become an essential matter to conduct an investigation and take legal action against him, he said.

The President’s Counsel stated that the attention of the authorities has been drawn to this matter in the recently held Security Council meeting and the President has also stated that he has drawn attention to this matter on various occasions.

However, since there are strong hands behind this pastor, there is doubt as to whether the investigations against him will continue. As a result, the petitioners filed this petition and the President’s Counsel also emphasized that it is essential to draw the court’s attention to the relevant investigations from time to time.