The Court of Appeal was informed today (20) that the juice bar constructed within the premises of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee has been removed.

The notification was made by counsel Susantha Balapatabendi, appearing for the petitioner monks. Confirming the demolition, Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe, appearing on behalf of the Coast Conservation Department, told court that the structure had been removed.

The juice bar, which had triggered considerable controversy in recent months as an allegedly unauthorised construction, has now been fully dismantled.

The Coast Conservation Department had earlier issued a directive ordering the removal of the structure and granted seven days for compliance.

It was previously alleged that, on the day prior to the deadline for demolition — a Sunday — a group including Balangoda Kassapa Thera claimed that plans were underway to construct a new Dhamma school on the site.

The petition filed by the Viharadhipathi of the temple, Trincomalee Kalyanawansa Thissa Thera, was taken up before a Court of Appeal bench comprising Justices Dhammika Ganepola and Adithya Patabendige on 19 November 2025.

At the hearing, counsel Shane Foster, appearing on the instructions of counsel Isuru Edirisinghe for the petitioner, informed court that the Director General of the Coast Conservation Department had, by letter dated 18 July, directed his client to remove the unauthorised structure on the relevant land.

Although an appeal had subsequently been lodged with the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment under the provisions of the Coast Conservation Act, the appeal was rejected, counsel said.

He further alleged that the dismissal of the appeal without granting the petitioner Viharadhipathi an opportunity to be heard or to present submissions was contrary to law.

Responding on behalf of the Director General of the Coast Conservation Department, Deputy Solicitor General Jayasinghe submitted that there was an approved plan for the temple premises and that any construction carried out beyond the scope of that approved plan was unlawful. He maintained that the respondents were empowered under the Coast Conservation Act to remove such unauthorised constructions.

Justice Dhammika Ganepola observed that it would be appropriate for the matter to be resolved amicably. He suggested that officials of the Coast Conservation Department inspect the site and examine whether there were any irregularities in the constructions on the land.

The bench further directed that, until the conclusion of proceedings, both parties should refrain from unnecessary confrontation and ensure that peace is maintained.