Sri Lanka, March 29 -- Bodubala Sena (BBS) Organization Leader Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera was yesterday sentenced to four years' rigorous imprisonment for making a controversial statement at a press conference which was convened on the Kuragala ancient Buddhist Monastery, that violated inter-ethnic and religious harmony, by the Colombo High Court.

In addition to the sentence, the accused Ven.Gnanasara was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.100,000 for both charges by the Colombo High Court.

Following a lengthy trial, Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige observed that the prosecution had been able to prove the allegations against the accused beyond reasonable doubts.

Delivering the judgement, the Colombo High Court Judge poin...