Seven remanded over Ruwanwelisaya clash
Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and six others were remanded until November 26 by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday over a confrontation at a protest site near the historic Ruwanwelisaya. The seven suspects, including four Buddhist monks and three civilians, were arrested following a clash on Thursday (12) between two groups at the site. They […]
Seven individuals, comprising four Buddhist monks and three civilians, were remanded by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court until November 26 following a clash at a protest site near the Ruwanwelisaya. The group, arrested on Thursday (12), was charged with assaulting and injuring Ven. Rajanganaye Saddharathana Thera and obstructing police duties.
Ven. Saddharathana Thera, who suffered head injuries, was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital. The protesters were part of a fast-unto-death demonstration opposing the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and demanding the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera. Despite earlier court orders to vacate the area, the protest continued.
The Chief Magistrate inspected the injured monks and civilians and ordered drug tests for all seven suspects, as well as a psychiatric report on Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera. Police spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler mentioned that two women among the civilians arrested were also taken into custody. The Magistrate also directed Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to issue an arrest warrant for Ven.
Balangoda Kassapa Thera, as he failed to appear in court on November 11 for an unrelated case. Additionally, Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera was ordered to appear before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court.
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