Sri Lanka, Jan. 30 -- Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura has rejected the request made by the legal team representing Frederick Christopher Jerome Fernando, also known as Pastor Jerome, to temporarily lift his travel ban.

Jerome Fernando was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department for making controversial statements and delivering sermons that allegedly undermined harmony among people of different faiths.

The magistrate ruled that since the investigating officers were not present in court, the request should be made on February 12, the scheduled hearing date.

His legal team argued that he needed to travel abroad to renew visas that had been revoked for several countries, including the United States.

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