A bond of Rs. 1 million each was ordered by court for each of two suspects charged with selling T-shirts printed with an image of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sacred Temple of the Tooth). The charge was made by the Kandy Police on a complaint made by Kandy residents Vajira Handunge and Sirimal Jayasundera.
The defendants are Milinda Bandara and Tuan Nalim.
Speaking for the defence, attorney-at-law Nisantha Gunaskera told court that the management of the chain of shops selling the T-shirts had apologised to the Mahanayake of Asgiriya and the Diyawadana Nilame, and promised to remove the offensive items from all their sales outlets.
They had also gone to meet the Mahanayake of Malwatte to tender their apologies, but the Mahanayake was not available.
In this case, a newly opened shop in the Queen’s Complex was selling ladies T-shirts with the Sri Dalada Maligawa image at Rs. 850 each.
Police said the charge was made under section 292 of the penal code, which allows for legal action against persons found guilty of disrespect to a religion.
Acting Chief Magistrate Ms. Jayaki de Alwis ordered the Kandy Police to continue with their investigations and report to court on February 2.
Attorneys-at-law Channa Gapapthige, with attorneys Maneesha Seneviratne and Sudharama Thundeniya, appeared for the complainants.
Sergeant R. M. D. Jayasekera appeared for the Kandy Police, accompanied by Inspector S. Subasinghe, officer in charge, minor offences. |
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