When did mocking a monk become a criminal offence ?
"Yes, mocking Buddhist monks is a
serious criminal offense in Sri Lanka. The country's laws strictly protect Buddhism—the state-supported majority religion—and penalize any behavior that insults or hurts religious feelings.
Legal PenaltiesPenal Code: Sections 291A and 291B make it a crime to-deliberately and maliciously insult religion or wound religious feelings, carrying prison terms of up to two years.
Special Police Units: Authorities operate dedicated online investigation divisions to track and arrest individuals accused of making disrespectful or offensive statements about Buddhism and its clergy on social media.
Strict Enforcement: Police frequently take swift legal action against both locals and foreign visitors perceived as showing disrespect or mocking religious figures and symbols".
Sources: AFP News, Wikipedia, end blasphemy laws, The Sunday Times, uca news