By Newswire Editorial
The Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued summons to five Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, who are engaged in a sit-in protest against the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City development plan.
Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne today (09) ordered the five monks to appear before court on November 20.
The summons were issued to Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, Ven. Kahatagasdigiliye Vijitha Thera, Ven. Balangoda Anuruddha Thera, Ven. Pilimathalawe Revatha Thera and Ven. Deniyaye Soratha Thera.
The monks have been staging a sit-in protest near the Ruwanwelisaya premises, demanding that the Government withdraw the proposed development plan for the Anuradhapura Sacred City.
The matter was taken up after lawyers representing the monks filed a motion seeking to revoke a restraining order obtained by Anuradhapura Police on November 7, directing the monks to leave the protest site.
Appearing on behalf of the monks, Attorneys-at-Law Saman Galappaththi and Kalinga Ravindra Kalinga alleged that Police had misled the court to obtain the order.
They argued that the protest was being held on the grounds used for dansal, rather than within the Ruwanwelisaya courtyard, and did not obstruct the public.
The lawyers further alleged that the restraining order violated constitutional rights and requested that it be revoked.
However, Anuradhapura Headquarters Chief Inspector Rukmal Ratnayake informed the court that investigations had established that the protest was causing inconvenience to the public.
He also stated that the monks had failed to comply with the November 7 court order directing them to leave the protest site and requested that they be summoned before court.
Police further informed the court that a separate suspect arrested for allegedly behaving in a disorderly manner and obstructing police duties at the protest site had been found to be under the influence of drugs at the time of his arrest, according to a medico-legal examination.
After considering submissions from both parties, the Chief Magistrate issued summons directing the five monks to appear before court on November 20. (Newswire)