Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thera and two other Buddhist monks have launched a fast unto death in protest against the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred Site Development Project, escalating an ongoing protest near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya.

The three monks commenced the hunger strike following a Satyagraha launched earlier by a group of Buddhist monks at the Dansala premises near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya, opposing the proposed development initiative.

Meanwhile, an arrest warrant was issued against Kassapa Thera yesterday (11) after he failed to appear before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in a case concerning alleged unauthorised constructions along the Trincomalee coast and a controversial Buddha statue.

The case was taken up for hearing yesterday, but Kassapa Thera and several other individuals named in the proceedings were absent when the matter was called. The Court subsequently issued the warrant against the monk and postponed the hearing until 6 January 2027.

Commenting on the ongoing protest, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday (10) that those seeking clarification on the proposed development plan could raise their concerns directly with the Acting Atamasthanadhipathi, Ven. Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanathilaka Thera.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, he said a 32-member Presidential Advisory Committee had been appointed to oversee decision-making on the project. The committee is chaired by the Acting Atamasthanadhipathi and Presidential Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

Jayatissa also disclosed that the Anuradhapura Police had submitted a fresh B-report to Court over the protesters' continued occupation of the site in alleged violation of a court order. Five individuals had been directed to appear before Court on 20 November in connection with the matter.

He further said discussions on an alternative location could be considered once the ongoing protest ended.