A foretaste of worse to come

On October 19th, 2026, a group of Buddhist monks carried out a Satyagraha in Viharamahadevi Park, demanding the release of Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera from prison. This peaceful protest escalated into a confrontation with the police, resulting in one of the monks, Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, being hospitalized. Kassapa Thera claimed he feared for his life, leading him to transfer to a private hospital.

Police spokesman ASP F. U. Wootler dismissed these claims, stating that Kassapa Thera had merely "slipped and fallen." However, the credibility of the police's statements is questionable, as they have a history of wrongdoing and denial. Past instances, such as the wrongful death allegation against rugby player Wasim Thajudeen and the later admission of his murder, demonstrate the police's reluctance to admit culpability.

The current administration's crackdown on protests, exemplified by their denial of any excesses, suggests a troubling trend. The JVP/NPP, which benefited from the 2022 Aragalaya protests, has since demonstrated a troubling disregard for peaceful dissent, even attempting to seize power through violent means. This authoritarian approach, coupled with the police's aggressive tactics, may portend a grim future if the Protection of State from Terrorism law, criticized for its draconian measures, becomes law.

An impartial investigation is essential to uncover the truth surrounding the events at Viharamahadevi Park that led to Kassapa Thera's hospitalization. Only then can the government determine whether to address these alarming developments or continue down a path of escalating authoritarianism.