Racist BBS monk Gnanasara claims USAID used to suppress Sinhala Buddhism
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the controversial General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), has accused the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of funding several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to undermine Sinhala Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Addressing the media, Gnanasara claimed to possess documentary evidence supporting his allegations.
He stated that USAID provided Rs. 8.1 million (Rs. 8,153,705) to an organization between October 1, 2013, and July 31, 2014, allegedly to suppress the rights of Sinhala Buddhist groups. Additionally, he highlighted a fixed obligation grant of Rs. 5,979,940 to another organization for the period between August 15, 2013, and August 14, 2014. According to Gnanasara, this funding was intended to increase polarization between ethnic and religious groups and marginalize the BBS.
“These NGOs operated in twelve districts, using the funds to create YouTube channels, publish articles in newspapers, influence judges and lawyers, and manipulate the legal system to serve their agenda,” he alleged. Gnanasara further claimed that certain courts and infrastructure were established using USAID funds, which he believes were used to target him legally when he attempted to expose these activities.
The BBS has called on the current government to investigate these claims and form a commission or special committee to reveal the truth to the nation. “I have no objection to being imprisoned if it means these issues will be resolved,” Gnanasara declared, referencing his previous incarceration.
Gnanasara stirred further controversy by claiming that he had warned Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith about the Easter Sunday attacks well in advance. Speaking to the media, he alleged that government intelligence services and officials had prior knowledge of the attack but failed to act.
“We approached the Cardinal even before the attack and had lengthy discussions with him, warning him of the possible threat. However, he disregarded our warnings,” Gnanasara said. He claimed that the BBS had access to secret information that even intelligence services could not obtain and had been warning about the attack since 2014.
“I sent 17 letters to government leaders at the time and raised concerns about the emergence of extremist groups in the country,” he added. Gnanasara also referenced the Presidential Task Force on 'One Country, One Law,' formed under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government, through which the BBS allegedly gathered extensive information on religious extremist groups.
“We handed over the report, but unfortunately, no action was taken,” he said. Gnanasara expressed his willingness to cooperate with any investigation initiated by the current government, offering to share the information he possesses.
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, a Buddhist monk, is widely known for his extremist views and involvement in anti-Muslim rhetoric. He has been accused of inciting religious and ethnic tensions, particularly through his leadership of the BBS, which has been linked to numerous incidents of violence and hate speech targeting Tamils and Muslims.
The racist monk is back before the press after the Colombo High Court granted bail. The court issued this order after considering a revision petition filed by the attorneys of Gnanasara Thero against the sentence, seeking bail pending the hearing of an appeal filed related to the case and the announcement of a final decision