Documents pertaining to some illegal contents circulated on the Internet, titled ‘Lanka sexy’ bearing Buddha images on the contents, were yesterday submitted to the Supreme Court by Counsel Prassanthalal de Alwis, who supported the fundamental rights violation application filed by the Venerable Doranagama Kusaladharma Thero, who sought from the Court, a permanent injunction agaist the importation and sale of items bearing the Buddha emblems.
Counsel Prassanthalal de Alwis said that the ‘B’ report 3062, has been filed by the police, in the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Colombo, against a Sri Lankan Web designer, who had fed obscene pictures into the website from Colombo, the pictures being ones bearing the Buddha emblem.
The case on this issue is to be called before the Magistrate shortly.
Counsel further said that three hoteliers at Bentota were being prosecuted in the Magistrate’s Court of Bentota for having Buddha Bars in their hotels. These persons are being prosecuted under section 290 (A) of the penal code.
The Supreme Court advised the Counsel that Internet servers must be ordered by the Attorney General to regulate such matters, which could be categorized as ‘illegal contents’ so that such material will not be circulated on the Internet anymore.
Among the respondents cited in the petition are the IGP, the Director Customs, the Attorney General and the Foreign Minister.
Senior State Counsel Nihal Jayewardene appeared for the respondents. The case will be argued on November 15.
Prassanthalal de Alwis appeared with Dimuthu Senarath Bandara and Lakmali Hapugoda instructed by Mahesh de Alwis for the petitioner thero, who had alleged a violation of the freedom to yhink and a violation of the right to follow and manifest a religious choice.
The Supreme Court bench comprised the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Justice Shirani Tilakawardene and Justice N. E. Dissanayake.
