Nathasha Edirisooriya
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Sri Lanka
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May/27/2023
Date of Release: July/6/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Expression about Religion Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Nathasha Edirisooriya
Extra Bio Info:
Nathasha Edirisooriya was detained for blasphemy.
On May 27, 2023, police arrested and detained Edirisooriya after receiving a complaint that she made jokes insulting to Buddhism and Christianity during a stand-up comedy show.
On May 28, 2023, authorities charged Edirisooriya with "uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings" (Sec. 291A SLPC), "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 291B SPLC), and "propagating war and advocating national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence" (Sec. 3 Sri Lankan ICCPR Act, No. 56 2007).
On July 5, 2023, the Colombo High Court granted Edirisooriya bail.
On July 6, 2023, Edirisooriya was released on bail.