Prompt Action by the US Embassy in Colombo has scuttled the well laid plans of Bodu Bala Sena(BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero to embark upon a prolonged visit to the United States of America (USA) in July this year.
Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thero who is regarded as the mastermind behind the anti-Muslim violence at Aluthgama, Dharga Nagar and Beruwela, has been the target of much criticism nationally and internationally.
Though the Rajapaksa Regime has been resisting widespread appeals that Gnanasara Thero be questioned over his role in instigating anti-Muslim violence the antics of the notorious ethno religious fascist has resulted in the Sri Lankan Govt facing much pressure.
It was decided by influential sections in the upper echelons of the regime that Gnanasara Thero should leave Sri Lanka and stay abroad for a while until the hue and cry against the BBS bhikku subsided and things cooled off.
Since Gnanasara Thero has a multiple – entry visa to the USA the plan was for him to travel to the USA quietly. The Bodu Bala Sena has a wide network of supporters among Sinhala Buddhist expatriates in the USA.
Accordingly the BBS acolytes in the US were asked to make preparations for Gnanasara’s visit and stay. A number of BBS propaganda meetings under the pretext of being Buddhist religious functions were being organized in different states of the USA.
Source: The Independent (UK)
