Is Pastor Jerome Fernando Arrested? Who is Pastor Jerome Fernando? Why Was Pastor Jerome Fernando Arrested?
by Ayisha
Updated Dec 02, 2023
Is Pastor Jerome Fernando Arrested?
Pastor Jerome Fernando has indeed been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Sri Lanka. The arrest stems from a controversial sermon where he allegedly made derogatory statements about Lord Buddha and other religions. Despite a Court of Appeal order preventing his immediate arrest upon return to the country, Pastor Fernando was taken into custody after providing a statement to the CID on December 1, 2023.
The controversy had initially sparked outrage when a video of the sermon went viral on social media, leading to a police complaint. Legal proceedings are underway, and Pastor Fernando has been ordered to be remanded until December 13, facing charges related to insulting religions and potential financial investigations.
At Fresherslive, our mission is to bridge the gap between news and readers, making current events and trending stories easily digestible for your convenience. We strive to provide you with the latest scoop on global happenings.
Who is Pastor Jerome Fernando?
Pastor Jerome Fernando is a prominent religious figure in Sri Lanka who has recently gained attention due to a controversial sermon. Known as a self-styled 'prophet,' Pastor Fernando leads the Glorious Church and commands a large following of worshipers. His activities came under scrutiny when a video of one of his sermons went viral on social media, alleging that he made derogatory statements about Lord Buddha and other religious figures.
The video stirred uproar among followers of Buddhism in the country and resulted in a police complaint against the pastor. Fernando had left Sri Lanka in May, flying to Singapore just two days before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court imposed a travel ban on him. The ban was related to ongoing investigations into the alleged offensive remarks.
Why was Pastor Jerome Fernando Arrested?
Pastor Jerome Fernando was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Sri Lanka primarily due to allegations surrounding a controversial sermon. The arrest is linked to a video of one of his sermons that went viral, containing purported derogatory statements about Lord Buddha, Islam, and Hinduism.
The video sparked outrage among the followers of Buddhism, prompting a police complaint against the pastor. The accusations led to an investigation by the CID, with charges focusing on offenses related to insulting other religions, specifically Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.
Pastor Fernando had been under the CID's scrutiny for making contentious remarks during a large gathering on April 30, 2023, and his arrest followed his compliance with a court order to provide a statement to the CID within 48 hours of his return to Sri Lanka.
Is Pastor Jerome Fernando Arrested? - FAQs
He was arrested over derogatory statements made in a controversial sermon, particularly about Lord Buddha and other religions.
A viral video of one of his sermons containing offensive remarks triggered outrage on social media and resulted in a police complaint.
Yes, he provided a statement to the CID within 48 hours of his return, as directed by the Court of Appeal.
Yes, there are indications that the CID is probing large sums of money deposited into Pastor Fernando's accounts from overseas.