The Court of Appeal, this morning, overruled the preliminary objections made by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Atte Gnanasara Thera against the Contempt of Court charges filed against him.

The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Vijith Malalgoda and Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, which heard the objections, today fixed the matter for argument on May 16.

When the charge sheet was read out before Court of Appeal at the last hearing, Gnanasara Thera had informed Court that he was pleading not guilty to the charges.

Former Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake had referred the Contempt of Court action to the Court of Appeal.