Pastor Jerome misused judicial process by filing different petitions – President’s Counsel

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardene stated at the Court of Appeal yesterday (12) that the National Security Council had been informed by high-ranking security authorities that there could be religious unrest in the country due to Pastor Jerome Fernando’s insulting statement to other religions including Buddhism.

Accordingly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered the security forces including the Inspector General of Police to conduct an immediate investigation into the pastor’s statement, he said.

The President’s Counsel said this when the writ petition submitted by Pastor Jerome Fernando was to prevent his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department was taken up for hearing.

The petition was taken up for hearing before Court of Appeal President Judge Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Court of Appeal Judge M.C.B.S. Moraes.

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena, who appeared on behalf of the religious leaders including Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thera, the respondent in the petition, stated that a controversial statement made by the pastor during a religious service was the subject of intense discussion in society.

He pointed out that Zaharan, who led the Easter attack, had also made similar statements. He said that high-level security authorities had realized that, due to the seriousness of the statement, there could be religious unrest in the country, so they had immediately informed the National Security Council about it. He said further that accordingly, the President ordered the Inspector General of Police to conduct an immediate investigation regarding the controversial statement made by the pastor. He pointed out that Rs.12.25 billion has circulated through the accounts of the petitioner pastor. The President’s Counsel said that investigations are being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Attorney General recently reported the matter to the Supreme Court. He alleged that the pastor had misused the judicial process by filing different petitions in several courts on the same issue.

Therefore, the President’s Counsel requested the court to dismiss this petition without granting an opportunity to hear it.

President’s Counsel Jagath Wickremanayake, who appeared for the petitioner pastor, stated that his client would fully support the investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department. He said that this petition was submitted with the aim of preventing the arrest of his client without sufficient evidence. He pointed out that if he is arrested under any circumstances, the Magistrate’s Court has no authority to grant bail. Subsequent to considering the facts, the court decided to conduct further hearing of the petition on October 16.

The petitioner pastor claims that the Criminal Investigation Department is working to arrest him under the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights Act, alleging that he made a statement in a way that insults other religions including Buddhism. Facts were reported to the Fort Magistrate’s Court against pastor Jerome Fernando after there was a great controversy that he had made a statement insulting Buddhism and other religions during a religious service.

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