• Balangoda Kassapa Thera arrested  

Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thera and two other monks, who were staging a fast-unto-death protest near the historic Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura, were taken into Police custody yesterday (12) following a clash between two groups.

The monks launched the hunger strike on Wednesday (11), opposing the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and demanding the release of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who is serving a prison sentence.

The confrontation reportedly erupted when a group led by Rajangane Saddharathana, who is reported to have been expelled from the Buddhist monastic order, arrived at the protest site. Saddharathana sustained a head injury after allegedly being struck with a wooden pole.

Police subsequently arrived and attempted to dismantle the temporary structure at the site, triggering further tensions. Kassapa and the two other monks were later taken into custody. Video footage showed several individuals wielding clubs and attacking others during the unrest.

The three monks had reportedly consumed neither food nor water since beginning their fast. Several groups of monks and laypeople had also gathered at the site on Wednesday night to support them.

Meanwhile, Kassapa has been instructed to appear before the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today (13) to provide a statement over allegations that Police officers assaulted him during unrest at a Satyagraha near Viharamahadevi Park on 17 October.

He had previously been summoned to the CCD on Wednesday but failed to appear or inform the authorities of his inability to attend. The Udamaluwa Police subsequently notified him to appear today.

Speaking to the media, Kassapa said he would not comply with any court order, claiming that only a Sangha Court (Sangha Adhikarana) had the authority to issue orders concerning him.