Court orders monks and group engaged in satyagraha at Colombo Viharamahadevi Park to vacate

Newswire and Sri Lanka Mirror report that Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama rejected a motion on October 23 to withdraw or amend an order issued the previous day concerning a satyagraha at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo. Daily Mirror also reports that a motion by participating Buddhist monks to challenge or vary the order was rejected.

Newswire and Sri Lanka Mirror say lawyers for the protesters asked the court to change the order so the group could remain at the site. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne was among the lawyers who made submissions on the monks’ behalf.

Rupavahini News and Newsfirst report that the protest is in support of Bodu Bala Sena general secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that protesters had gathered near the Buddha statue in the park.

Lankadeepa reports that police brought the court order to the park on the night of October 22 and read out and explained its terms to the monks and lay participants. Newswire says the magistrate stated police could take appropriate action under the Penal Code if the order was violated.

The magistrate rejected that request, saying the information presented was insufficient at that stage, and indicated police could act under the Code of Criminal Procedure if necessary.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.