Kumara’s statements linking the cardinal with homosexuality have not only insulted the Church leader but also offended Christians across the nation, police told the court. They wanted Kumara’s remand, citing potential religious and social unrest.
An audio recording that Kumara released during Christmas week claimed Ranjith abused children for homosexual activities. The recording went viral on social media.
Police arrested Kumara on the complaint of Jude Chrisantha, the director of National Catholic Communication. The complaint called for a thorough police investigation into the “harm caused.”
Chrisantha alleged Kumara is an “accomplice in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in which bombs went off almost simultaneously in three Churches and three luxury hotels, killing 270 people and injuring some 500.
The priest alleged that Kumara was “plotting another incident at the request of a third party.”
"We believe this was a deliberate attempt to defame” the cardinal’s reputation, Chrisantha told media on Dec. 30.
He alleged the audio recording was associated with former parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake.
Chrisantha suggested it was intentionally used to damage the reputation of the cardinal, who spearheads a campaign seeking justice for the families of the Easter Sunday victims.
Kumara is reportedly a supporter of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Media reports quoting investigators say officials loyal to the powerful Rajapaksa family were complicit in the Easter Sunday bombings.
Kumara told journalists last week that Ramanayake has an audio clip that discusses Ranjith’s alleged involvement in homosexual activities.
Kumara met journalists after he filed a complaint with the presidential secretariat seeking an investigation into the audio clip. However, he said his “aim is to defend the Cardinal, not to defame him.”
Rajapaksa supporters are also accused of fabricating stories to mislead the bombing investigation and to divert public attention from it, allowing criminal collaborators to escape accountability.
“Kumara played a key role in this mission and now appears to be setting the stage for another conspiracy,” said activist Surin Sarath.
Sarath wanted police to conduct “a thorough investigation” and ensure justice.
He told UCA news on Jan. 2 that the allegations have “severely harmed Cardinal Ranjith’s reputation and the feelings of the Catholic community.”