Though various media organs are agog with excitement over the phenomenon of venerable Galagaoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero being “questioned” by the Police over recent incidents of anti –Muslim violence, it is learnt that what actually transpired was a farcicial drama featuring the Bodhu Bala Sena and Police officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

According to informed sources connected to the Bodhu Bala Sena the Police had first contacted Gnanasara Thero and requested him to call over at the CID headquarters for an “interview”whenever it was suitable for the Bodhu Bala Sena General Secretary. The Police had been very apologetic and explained that this was only a matter of routine necessitated by Police procedure and was in no way an indication that Gnanasara Thero was a suspect in inciting violence in Aluthgama.

The BBS bigwig had been asked to pick the day and time suitable for him.Gnanasara Thero had told the Police that though the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka should be regarded as being above the law and not be questioned by the Police, the prevailing reality was one in which there was no separate law for Bhikkus. As such he was ready to be interviewed by the Police but not be interrogated he Gnanasara emphasised.The Police reiterated that it was not an interrogation and that only clarification on certain matters will be requested from the BBS bigwig.Gnanasara Thro had also demanded that no Tamil, Musli or Christian Police official should interview him.

According to informed sources connected to the Bodhu Bala Sena, Gnanasara Thero and wo other Bhikkus from the BBS had gone to the Police on Wednesday July 2nd. The Police interview at the CID office had begun around 1 pm and gone on for nearly four hours.”The Police were most deferential to Gnanasara Thero and profusely apologized for the inconvenience caused”said the sources.

According to sources Gnanasara Thero had denied any complicity in the violence that occurred in Aluthgama and Beruwela on June 15th. He had refuted allegations that he had incited violence against Muslims. The BBS gen –secy had asserted that Sri Lanka was a Sinhala Buddhist country and that he as a Buddhist monk had the right to conduct or address meetings in ny part of the country and articulate his thoughts.His freedom of speech could not be restricted by concerns for Muslims,Tamils or Christians who were aliens and not sons of the soil like Sinhala Buddhists.

Gnanasara Thero in his statement had also suggested that the Police should interrogate cabinet minister for Justice Rauff Hakeem and Central Provincial councillor Azath Salley as they were responsible for the violence in Aluthgama.The entire exercise was a well –planned conspiracy by foreign powers, Muslim extremists and anti-govt politicians.”Why did Hakeem and Salley run to the troubled areas immediately” Gnanasara had queried from the Police and said”Interrogate them and find out”.

Gaagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero had also outlined the policies and principles of the Bodhu Bala Sena to the Police. He had explained what was wrong with Sri Lanka and what was needed to rectify the situation. He had cautioned that unless preventive action was taken now the Muslims would overrun the country and become the majority community.

“Then what will happen to the poor Sinhala Buddhists” Gnanasara Thero had asked the Police who according to sources had no effective reply.”The Tamils have India, the Muslims have middle eastrn countries and the Christians have the Western countries. But the Sinhala Buddhists have no where to go. So we cannot let Sri Lanka be taken over by the minorities” Gnanasara Thero had told the Police.

The Bodhu Bala Sena General secretary was thanked by the Police for gracefully greeing to be interviewed and respectfully told Gnanasara Thero tht his views and statement had enlightened them.They had said that they may request another interview in the future if necessary.

“The olice were most respectful and highy appreciative of the Bodhu Bala Sena General-Secretry” said informed sources connected to the BBS.

Gnanasara Thero walked out of the CID office like a conquering hero and addressed media personnel gathered there. He also made speech for the benefit of TV cameras.

This then is the true story of Gnanasara Thero being questioned by the Police about anti Muslim violence.