Court shields Pastor Jerome from arrest over controversial remarks

The Court of Appeal issued an order directing the police not to arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando upon his arrival at the airport or anywhere else in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon. 

The two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Chamath Morais, issued this order following a writ petition filed by Pastor Gerome Fernando.

Eearlier, Sri Lanka Police have clarified that Pastor Jerome Fernando, who is currently in Singapore, can be arrested upon his return to Sri Lanka owing to the overseas travel ban issued against him.

An overseas travel ban was imposed against the Pastor on orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on May 16, as per a request made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

A video of the sermon in question was recently widely circulated on social media, stirring much controversy within the country due to allegations that it included derogatory statements related to Lord Buddha and other religious figures.

On 15 May, President Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered the CID to launch an immediate investigation into the matter, citing that such statements could create religious conflicts and harm the country’s harmony.

The New Buddhist Front (‘Nawa Bikshu Peramuna’) and the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) also lodged a complaint with the CID, seeking the immediate arrest of the Pastor and that strict legal action be initiated against him.