The Colombo Crimes Division today informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya that they are awaiting the Attorney General's advise on the steps to be taken against six defendants on a case of making derogatory statements on the Buddha and Buddhism.

The six defendants, who are on bail, are from the radical Muslim organization Thawheed Jamaath, based in Maligawatte, Colombo 10. They include its General Secretary.

In 2013, a video showing its General Secretary speaking of Buddhism was released by the organization. It alleged that the Buddha consumed human flesh and that the 'Triple Gems' were nothing more than three stones. Buddhism worshiped stones, the organization alleged.

Soranathota Chandrarathana Thera filed a case against the organization, requesting action against it. The court prohibited the publication of the video at the initial stages of the Magisterial Inquiry.

The Department of Buddhist Affairs, submitting a report to the court in February, informed that the speech in the video threatened the coexistence of ethnic groups and damages the religious harmony in the country.

The CCD informed court that action could be taken against the defendants under Section 135 of the Penal Code.