Tense situation at Viharamahadevi Park protest site calling for pardon for Gnanasara Thera

Daily Mirror, WhatNews (සිංහල), Newswire and Sri Lanka Mirror report that Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama rejected a motion on October 23 seeking to alter or withdraw an order made the previous day. The earlier order directed Buddhist monks and other protesters at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to leave the site.

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that the order concerned occupation of the area near the park’s Buddha statue while the group held a satyagraha. Rupavahini News and Newsfirst report that the protest was calling for the release of Bodu Bala Sena general secretary Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

Lankadeepa reports that the Attorney General sought warrants for the monks and others who had remained at the park, but that the magistrate refused that request. Ada Derana (தமிழ்) reports that tension arose between the protesting monks and Colombo Municipal Council officials. Ada Derana (සිංහල) reports that efforts to remove Buddhist flags and signs from the park also led to a tense situation.

WhatNews (සිංහල) reports that the magistrate said the order remained unchanged and that action against it could lead to consequences under the Penal Code. Hiru News (සිංහල) reports that the satyagraha had reached its tenth day.

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.