A 21-year-old youth has been remanded until October 16 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following his arrest over a WhatsApp group that allegedly contained insulting material about Buddhism and threats targeting several sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.
The suspect was arrested by officers of the Computer Crimes Investigation Division (CCID) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following a complaint made by Ven. Dr. Daniyagama Ananda Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Rangiri Dambulla Temple.
According to the complaint, messages circulated through the WhatsApp group allegedly insulted the Buddha and contained threats of bomb attacks targeting the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Thuparamaya and Dambulla Temple.
Investigators from the CCID’s Internet Surveillance and Intelligence Unit subsequently traced and arrested the suspect, who is reportedly a resident of Ibbagamuwa. Officers who searched his mobile phone allegedly found several digitally altered images depicting the Buddha.
Police said the messages threatening attacks on major religious sites were treated as a serious security concern. During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted to creating the WhatsApp group and sharing the material, claiming that he did so for entertainment.
