The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate on 9 November issued notices directing Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and four other Buddhist monks to appear in court on 20 November over a sit-in near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya.
The court also rejected a request by lawyers for the monks to lift an interim order issued on 7 November directing the protesters to leave the site. The sit-in began that morning in opposition to the Anuradhapura Sacred City development plan.
Notices were also issued to Ven. Kahatagasdigiliye Vijitha Thera, Ven. Balangoda Anuruddha Thera, Ven. Pilimathalawe Rewatha Thera and Ven. Deniyaye Soratha Thera.
Lawyers for the monks told the court that the protest was taking place at a nearby dansala site, outside the Ruwanweli Maha Seya precincts, and argued that it caused no obstruction to the public. They alleged that police had misled the court by failing to present all the relevant facts when seeking the interim order.
Chief Inspector Rukmal Rathnayake, appearing for police, told the court that inquiries had found the sit-in was causing inconvenience to the public. Police also said the protesters had failed to comply with the court’s earlier order.
Police told the court that a forensic medical examination of Prasad Susantha Jayasiri, also known as Daham Prasad, indicated that he had used heroin and cannabis. He had been arrested for allegedly behaving in a disorderly manner and obstructing police officers during the protest.
The monks and a group of laypeople began the sit-in on the morning of 7 November. Police intervened when protesters attempted to put up a temporary platform and a tent, leading to a verbal exchange.
