Bail refused for Prelate

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday refused a motion seeking bail for Chief incumbent of Welikadawatte Temple, Rajagiriya Ven. Pannala Pannaloka Thera.

The Thera was earlier remanded by the court till September 15, since he had failed to appear before the court on Monday (Sept 1), on notice earlier issued by the court on charge of violating the Supreme Court order on Noise Pollution.

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC, and Justice Andrew Somawansa and Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

When the Court commenced the proceedings yesterday morning the court was filled to capacity, mostly with Buddhist monks occupying the seats.

The monks who were seated did not stand up when the judges including Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC entered the court room.

The Chief Justice asked counsel K. Thiranagama for Pannala Pannaloka Thera to request the monks to leave the court room and return. Although the counsel requested the monks, they did not leave the court room. They were seen leaving the court only after the court refused to entertain the motion filed on behalf of the Rev. Pannaloka Thera.

Police Legal Director SSP Gamini Dissanayake on the last occasion submitted that the Welikada Police had warned the prelate three times not use loudspeakers before 6 am, before taking any action but the Thera failed to comply with order of the Court. The court had issued notice on the Thera to appear before the court on September 01.

The Court in a rights application issued an interim order directing the IGP to strictly implement the Section 80(1) of the Police Ordinance to control the noise from loudspeakers until the Community Noise Level Standards are passed by Parliament.

The case will be taken up on September 15.