Arrest Warrant Issued for Balangoda Kassapa Thera

Newswire reports that unrest occurred on November 12 at the car park opposite the main entrance to the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura, where Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera, had been holding a fast-unto-death protest. Newswire attributes its account of the incident and the figures involved to Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler.

Newswire reports that eight people were taken into police custody in connection with the incident: four Buddhist monks, one civilian woman and three civilian men. Newswire says Ven. Rajanganaye Saddhathissa Thero sustained head injuries and was receiving treatment at Anuradhapura Hospital. Newswire reports that tensions followed the arrival at the site of a group led by Saddhathissa Thero.

Newswire reports that Anuradhapura Police are conducting further investigations. The reports provide no further details about the protest’s demands or what will happen next in relation to those taken into custody.

Newswire also reports the warrant and says it followed Kassapa Thera’s failure to attend court; the reports do not provide further information about its execution.