How a 21-year-old used fake Muslim identities to spread threats against Buddhist religious sites

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament that a 21-year-old man had been arrested for allegedly creating fake social media accounts using Muslim names and spreading threats of attacks against several prominent Buddhist religious sites in Sri Lanka.

The minister said the suspect had circulated messages threatening attacks on the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Thuparamaya, Sri Maha Bodhi and Dambulla Temple, among other religious locations.

According to the minister, five complaints were received over the incident, prompting investigations into the social media groups responsible for circulating the messages.

The suspect, identified as a resident of Ibbagamuwa, was arrested and subsequently produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, which ordered his remand.

Minister Wijepala told Parliament that investigations had revealed the suspect allegedly used fake Muslim identities to create social media accounts and circulate the threatening messages.

He said further investigations were being conducted by the relevant police intelligence and investigative units.

The minister also stressed that authorities would take legal action against individuals spreading racial or religious hatred, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. (Newswire)