Ten suspects, including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero and three other monks, have been brought to court in connection with the placement of an unauthorized Buddha statue at Trincomalee Bodhiraja Viharaya. 

The suspects, who are currently in remand, appeared before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court today (11). 

The case was filed after the incident on 16 November, 2025, which allegedly violated coastal conservation laws. 

The Chief Prelate of Siyam Maha Nikaya has called on the President to release the detained monks, condemning the arrest as a serious offense against the Buddha Sasana.