The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court today (19) ordered Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and eight others to be further remanded until 28 January over allegations of violating the Coast Conservation Act during the placement of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee.

The order was issued by Trincomalee Magistrate Mohamed Samsudeen this afternoon.

The suspects, including four monks and five civilians, were arrested in connection with an incident on 16 November 2025, where a Buddha statue was placed and structures were allegedly erected on the Trincomalee coastline without the approval of the Coast Conservation Department.

When the suspects were produced before court today, the Magistrate noted that ongoing investigations required further remand.

Senior Police officials appeared in court, along with a State Counsel representing the Coast Conservation Department and five defence counsel representing the suspects.

During subsequent submissions, defence counsel informed court that a fundamental rights petition and a writ petition had been filed before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal respectively, and would not be withdrawn.

The State Counsel indicated that in view of the pending petitions, the Coast Conservation charge would not be withdrawn at this stage and investigations would continue.

Defence counsel argued for bail, claiming that the structure in question did not constitute illegal construction. However, after questioning a Coast Conservation official present in court, the Magistrate observed that the matter fell within the scope of the Coast Conservation Act.

The Magistrate further noted that under Section 31H of the Act, bail cannot be granted at Magistrate’s Court level, and jurisdiction lies with the High Court. He added that the matter could be concluded either through plea and fine or through withdrawal of the charge, allowing consideration of bail.

If the order is challenged, the Magistrate stated that parties may seek remedy before the High Court.